Simply by common sense, it is a fact that children adore plush toys. But do you know why? According to a recently published study, it is said that it is “because children know that a plush toy or a doll represents a living thing, and they can associate emotions and feelings with these objects. Playing with these "friends" allows children to explore the complexity of their feelings. "

So playing with plush toys can help children explore and express their feelings and emotions more easily. But what does all this mean? Exactly how can a teddy bear or cloth puppy give children a better understanding of themselves and the world around them? In this article you will find some benefits that stuffed animals can have during your child's childhood

Plush toys help children take the first step towards independence.

For the little ones, the world can seem very big, scary, and overwhelm them at times without the protection of their parents or caregivers when they are around them. With a plush toy friend, children can feel like they have a protector always with them, giving them the confidence to explore the world on their own.

Plush toys help children accept and understand more complex emotions.

Children can learn to control their emotions by rolling their plush toys. This game allows them to open new communication channels to express their feelings playfully in a controlled environment.

So instead of agglutinating emotions that are difficult to understand for themselves, children can express these emotions and feelings with their plush toys that will cope with them in a way that makes sense to the child.

Plush toys help children perfect speech and language.

Children speak aloud with their plush toys, and thus, at the same time, they are listening to what their voice sounds like, discovering for themselves the best way to say what they want to say.

After all, the more a child talks, either with his plush toys or with you, the more he is practicing his communication skills.

Plush toys help children to live with others.

With the plush toys and dolls, children can investigate and navigate through these obstacles by acting out in different scenarios and experimenting with the different possibilities in a safe environment without consequences.

Plush toys help children to have a sense of control over their world.

As we have mentioned before, for a child, the world can seem like a huge, chaotic place full of unknowns that can be terrifying. However, when children take on the role of fathers, mothers, or caretakers of their plush toys and dolls, suddenly that part of the world is totally manageable, understandable, and safe.

All these benefits are great, but if we think about it a little more deeply, we quickly realize that they do not belong exclusively to the world of plush toys and dolls.

In fact, children, with their great imaginations, can acquire all these benefits from anything other than a plush toy, such as an action figure, a plastic doll, or even a stick with eyes.

So... What's so special about plush toys?

The answer lies in something we don't normally think of as particularly important: how soft, cozy, lovable, and comforting a plush toy can be. The real benefit of plush toys is not simply that they help children communicate, share their feelings, and understand the world.

Plush toys are great because they teach children how to cuddle, how to hug, how to be more affectionate, and take care of each other. After all, it is one thing to gain the skills and confidence necessary to make your way in the world and quite another to do it without a sense of compassion, love, and care for others.

Plush toys at bedtime

For many children it is not easy to fall asleep, some out of restlessness, others out of fear of sleeping in a different room than their parents, and others out of fear of being "attacked" by the monster in the closet.

Having a plush toy for children helps create a feeling of peace, security, and comfort. When the child must learn to sleep alone, it is helpful to tell them that he is not alone, that he is accompanied by his plush toy, and that he will be who takes care of it.                          

In the beginning, it is not an easy task to make the little ones sleep alone, but what can help them is to sleep with a plush toy to feel accompanied. Every child wants to be accompanied most of the time and what better if it is one of his favorite plush toys.

What are children's plush toys for and why do they hug them?

In addition to all the benefits that we mentioned above, plush toys also help develop imagination, learn to manage your emotions, and exploit your creativity. All children like to imagine situations with their doll, such as playing that they are the heroes of a battle.

It is a good companion on an extended trip, or while waiting for a doctor's consultation. Even firefighters and police sometimes use teddy bears to rescue children in accidents.

Plush toys help to develop social skills

Soft toys for babies help them to improve their social and communication skills. Studies show that toddlers need to pretend to play with toys to develop their cognitive and acquisition skills. Pretending is an effective method children use to associate toys with imaginary characters. Role-playing encourages conversation and communication, as well as teamwork. They will do anything to make friends and be socialized with other kids.

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The educational value of plush toys

There are many ways to use soft toys to help kids learn. They can help children develop essential skills, for instance, brushing themselves or getting into bed. Kids love these plush toys for their imaginative play, and once they have them, they'll carry an emotional attachment. 

Soft toys can be used for babies to teach basic manners, demonstrate how to behave by giving them certain situations, and familiarize them with challenges by improving the quality of play at each level.

Helps in self-soothing

You've probably heard that stuffed animals are a great tool to use when dealing with anxiety and stress in young children. This is true for children, and once they're taken away from their parents, they often feel distressed. A plush toy teaches children how to soothe themselves.

Parents often have difficulty with their moods and emotions at first. However, it may help if you take care of yourself first. Although teaching children how to play with toys is a fun activity, helping them develop an essential social skill is a beautiful accomplishment for parents and educators alike.

Now that you know all this, do you want to add a plush toy to your little one's life? Take a look at our Plush toys section and choose your favorite.