There is something magical about soft toys that brings comfort and joy to little ones.

Every parent wants their child to be happy and feel safe in their surroundings. Little ones find comfort in the crafted plush toys. With their soft and comforting figures, they bring a sense of warmth and support. This makes these cuddly toys your child’s secret and most adorable companion.

Not only this, studies have shown that teddy bears and other stuffed toys reduce feelings of anxiety, isolation, and loneliness in children. 

 

Soft toys supporting early childhood development

From providing emotional support to promoting social skills, soft toys provide a strong foundation for children in their early years. Most importantly, it provides social support to toddlers as they are growing up. Let’s dive in and learn some of the most crucial ways in which soft toys support early development in kids.

 

1. Source of emotional attachment

As adults, we all understand that soft toys are not just another cute toy in a toddler’s playroom but also a source of constant support and companionship for a child. Usually, children start to play with soft toys soon after they are born.

Children often attach their emotions to these cuddle buddies who understand them when babies are too young to speak. This creates a deep connection between children and their toys. This makes children cherish their plush buddies even when they grow up.

 

2. Sensory stimulation

Sensory stimulation refers to the play that promotes the five senses in a person: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Toys are effective in promoting sensory play in children through visual and auditory development. 

Soft toys promote tactile stimulation, which is related to the sense of touch. As children touch the soft toys and squeeze them or manipulate their figures, they explore their sense of touch, and this promotes tactile stimulation and provides comfort as well.

 

3. Navigating social dynamics

Soft toys are excellent for enhancing social skills in kids. Wondering how? Social skills include interactions, empathy with others, coordination, and cooperation abilities. As children engage in imaginative play with their soft toys and fellow toddlers, they practice these crucial social behaviours.

Pretend play also promotes language skills as children interact with each other and with their cuddle buddies. As their play sessions unwrap, they learn to navigate various social scenarios and develop social skills. Soft toys play a crucial role in this by being an element of pretend play for kids.

 

What are attachment objects, and how do they help your child?

An attachment object is an inanimate or non-living object that provides a sense of comfort and belongingness to children. Soft toys are one such attachment object that connects with children on a deeper level, with their innocent eyes and comforting, furry bodies.

From becoming their secret keepers to their best playmates, soft toys accompany your child in the smallest of their daily activities. This reduces the feeling of isolation and also introduces children to the importance of building social relationships with others, which helps them make more meaningful connections than superficial ones.

 

Cleaning your toddler’s companions

Now that your child has found their best friend in that adorable little toy, it becomes your responsibility to keep both of them clean—your child and their best buddy. So, we have these quick, easy-to-follow cleaning tips for your child’s favourite soft toys.

• Use a soft cloth to clean away any superficial dirt particles from the fur.

• You can hand wash the soft toy for deeper cleaning. 

• Air-dry the soft toys. Don’t expose them to direct sunlight.

 

Barnshenn soft toys: safe and stylish

Made of soft and child-safe fabric, Barnshenn soft toys ensure complete safety during play. Moreover, the soft toys fulfil EN71 child safety requirements, which ensures the high quality and safety requirements of all our toys.

Additionally, Barnshenn soft toys are available in a variety of colours and textures, which ensures that your child has multiple options to scout from and choose what they like the most. With themed soft toys, like the Christmas soft toys and the dinosaur soft toys, you can also pick the most suitable theme for your child that they will adore.

 

Conclusion

Remember, a soft toy is not just another adorable toy in your kid’s playroom; it is a source of companionship for your child. So, it’s important to choose that companion wisely and with precision. Pick a toy that is easy for your child to handle and carry around. Look for safety certifications and buy the quality you can trust.

We hope that the guide above gave you insights about soft toys and their benefits and will help you find the next best soft toy for your kids. Explore our entire collection of toys at Barnshenn for newborns and toddlers. Are you in search of additional inspiration? Hop on to our social media handles, like TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram, for more gift inspiration for toddlers. See you in the next blog.

 

FAQs

 

1. Can stuffed animals help with emotional support?

Yes, soft toys help with emotional support as they provide a wonderful outlet to process internal thoughts and emotions. It helps to release stress and anxiety and also reduces the feeling of loneliness. Not only do kids use them, but adults equally enjoy them.

 

2. Are soft toys beneficial for mental health?

Yes, soft toys provide a sense of comfort and safety with their plush figures. The feeling of cradling soft toys provides children with a sense of relaxation that helps elevate mental stress, if any.