Published on April 16, 2022

We’ve all had at least one plush friend that was always by our side during our childhood. Who else would we cuddle and keep close to keep us safe during sick days, nighttime cries, and happy playdate times without wanting anything in return? It’s no secret that we loved our cuddly pals, so we can also understand why our children hold on to them so tight. With their soft, tender fur and cute little eyes, how could they resist them?

But besides assuming the role of their best friend, studies have shown that soft toys also have a positive effect on children’s development. Even in today’s technologically-oriented world, toy plushies still rule the shelves in most toy stores. There’s no doubt that soft plushies are a favourite among kids of all ages.

Provide Much-Needed Comfort

Babies love touching the surfaces of a stuffed toy, feeling its solid eyes, soft fur and spiny whiskers, as they enjoy discovering various textures and shapes. Touch is a sense crucial for a baby’s development, and by doing so they experience new sensations and learn about life.

The world can seem like a strange and scary place to infants, and cuddling something soft and familiar makes a huge difference in their perception, allowing them to cope easier with the environment around them. As your kid will grow, so will the challenges. Even toddlers might feel frustrated or overwhelmed when starting kindergarten or welcoming a new sibling. You won’t always be around, and this is when having their stuffed pal next to them may encourage your child to feel less threatened and to self-soothe (without the help of mum or dad).

Choosing a plush toy for a baby can be challenging. Chances are, this much-loved friend will accompany you everywhere in the next couple of years – from dinners and grocery shopping to vacations and sleepy times. To make the right choice, baby plush toys should be made from non-allergenic and non-toxic materials that can be easily washed.

Encourage Compassion and Empathy

Fluffy kitties, big-eyed puppies, soft and cuddly bears, sparkly unicorns, all of these adorable baby animals have a special place in children’s hearts. Playing with them awakens kindness and empathy – the caring qualities that help your child develop fundamental emotional skills. Pretend play is most common from 12-18 months when kids start giving names to their toys and assign them new characteristics. By developing a strong bond with their toy, kids take a role of caregivers and pretend to feed them, change their diapers, teach them how to sit on a potty, and even put them to bed. By practising these scenarios, toddlers show their observations, solve their problems and learn how to socialize and empathize with others.

Support Social Skills Development

Taking care of a soft toy is extremely helpful in upbringing little ones in a way that it increases their desire to relate to other people. Through pretend play, children practice cooperation and communication which help them gain better control over their emotions and impulses. Next time your kids want to pretend play just go along with their ideas and enjoy the adventure. You might end up working on a farm, skiing on the mountains, or even be headed for an expedition to the moon!

Stimulate Language Learning

A stuffed animal may be a great audience for your shy little one. Every new word they learn, kids love sharing it out loud with their stuffed animals. By continuously practising new words, they become more confident about their speech, hence more confident in front of you and others. Think about it: what inspires kids more to practice talking – building blocks or playing with their best pals? Experts say that telling a story by making soft animals “talk” to each other is an impressive way of developing reading and writing skills.

Boost Imagination

For children, there is no time limit when it comes to playing games. From peek-a-boo to pat-a-cake and hide-and-seek to hopscotch – children are active all day, and these activities enrich their brain in many ways. As they hop on their feet, new adventures start, imagination bursts, and soft toys become their best companion!

Bottom line is, plush toys offer development advantages to children of all age groups: babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and even school-goers. Some of them may even show interest in sewing clothes and dresses for their plushy friends. Don’t hesitate to gift this great toy to any of your little munchkins. Whatever the occasion may be, soft toys are a wonderful idea. From super-sized animal plushies and dolls to knitted snugglers, they are sure to delight anyone regardless of their age.

Original Article: Get an Idea of Why Plush Toys Are the Best Gift for Kids

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