Did you know that we have been making lovable teddy bears since 1902? For years now, we have had soft and plush companions in all different stages of our lives. From a gift to a newborn, or a child’s favourite toy in the store to a nostalgic sentiment from our childhood – bears are always around! No matter how young or old. Cuddly friends hold so many memories and can give us security and hope. So, we got thinking… What other benefits can we notice from having a teddy?

Putting Life Skills Into Practice

When our children play with teddy bears and other stuffed animal friends, they can be learning and practicing a huge range of skills very valuable in life. They are constantly learning and teaching one another as they play. Roleplay with teddies is a great example of this. Soon a little one can learn about daily routines such as brushing their teeth, getting ready for school and more with the help of a teddy bear by their side…

An Early Form Of Socialisation

Teddy bears also provide an element of socialisation for children. With a range of ways to play with a teddy bear come awesome opportunities to learn good behaviour. Whether your child is having a tea party with their favourite stuffed animals or is sat in class next to a fluffy bear – the potential is endless. Teach children important issues such as taking turns, sharing and emphasising with others. Most importantly, a teddy bear can help with making new friends. Bringing a bear to playdates can give your child a conversation or game starter, a confidence boost and reassurance as their best friend is with them.

Helping With Anxiety Of Dentists & Doctors

This benefit actually extends beyond doctor and dentist visits. As adults and children, we face a lot of new and scary situations that can bring the feeling of fear or nerves in all of us (the dentist being a great example for children AND adults). The waiting rooms can feel tense and ominous. However, it is important that your child does not grow up with these fears. As previously mentioned, having a cuddly friend with you can build a feeling of comfort and trust – which is great practice for these kinds of situations. These anxieties of new people and environments can be felt on the first day of school or when moving house, meeting new people and so on.

Bringing Comfort To Adults

It is not just children who can benefit from the positive effects of comfort objects. According to a study in Amsterdam, touching something comforting (e.g. a teddy bear) can help people with low self-esteem or existential worries.  Lead researcher Sander Koole said, ‘Our findings show that even touching an inanimate object — such as a teddy bear — can soothe existential fears.’ For adults and children alike,  comfort objects can remind us of home and make us feel safe.

Emotional Comfort And A Great Nights Sleep

As a child or adult, having a cuddly toy to snuggle with is a natural part of many night-time routines. This is extremely common in the UK with 60-70% of children taking a cuddly friend to bed. Is there a link between emotional comfort and feeling well-rested? Teddy bears are just one example of how people seek out emotional comfort and calmness when going to sleep. Other examples include ASMR, meditation and reading. As shown in endless research, sleep and stress do not mix well. So, maybe it is time to bring out a bear once in a while when you are struggling to snooze!

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