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Importance of Security Items for Children
Mom, bring Spot!:
The Importance of Security Items for Children
CITE
from
By Cherie Hammer
Owner, Cuddle Bug Baby Products
I ll bet you remember your security blanket or comfort item; I certainly
remember mine. “Spot” still maintains a place of honor
in my bedroom. He was made out of leopard-print corduroy, lovingly
hand sewn by my mother s dearest friend. His tummy is still indented
from me using him as a pillow well into my grade school years.
I can still vividly remember the day in first grade when I broke
my elbow. Determined to be the first girl in the class to skip one
on the horizontal ladder bars, I swung, missed and landed badly
on my arm, twisting my elbow in a most gruesome way. Sitting in
the Principal s office holding my throbbing arm, I overhead the
secretary call my mother to pick me up. I ll never forget her words,
“Mrs. Wolfe, you need to come down here right away and get
Cherie. She s broken her arm and I’m sure from the look of
it, it will require surgery.” Well with that, I naturally
started screaming bloody murder. The secretary gave me the phone
and I can still remember sobbing the only words I could get out,
“Mom (sob, sob). Bring (sob, sob) Spot (sob)...”
Many babies choose blankets, stuffed animals, or dolls as their
“lovey” or comfort item--the thing they need to snuggle
up with to sleep or cling to in times of stress. Most child experts
advocate the use of a comfort item. Babies naturally begin to bond
to a blanket or stuffed animal, regardless of the parents' unique
parenting style. It is important to note that attachment to a lovey
is not a sign that parents have failed to adequately nurture their
child or that they have not bonded. Actually, the opposite is true.
Parents who respond to a baby's needs for assurance will instill
confidence and self-esteem in their little one. It is this inner
strength that will give the child confidence to slowly learn the
needed skill of self-comfort.
The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Pregnancy and Baby Care
states: “By age eight or nine months, most children form a
strong attachment to a favorite toy, a blankets, or a special object.
This powerful need for something cuddly will only grow stronger
after the first birthday. Experts say it’s a wonderful way
for a toddler to cope with the fears and frustrations of growing
up, so don’t worry about it or try to persuade your baby to
give it up. Keep it handy. Tell baby sitters about it, and be assured
that having a security blanket will help her as she separates from
you. If she adopts a blanket, cut it in half or buy a duplicate
one, so that you have a spare should she lose the original or when
it needs to be washed.”1
Research by to the American Psychological Association in 1997 showed
that “bringing along a child’s security blanket, (or
other ‘security item’) may actually make routine medical
exams go smoother when mom is unable to accompany the child.”
They tested stress levels of children with and without their blankets
and with and without their mothers. They found that when children
needed medical attention and their mothers could not be with them,
having the security blanket brought the children’s stress
level to approximately the same level it would be had the mother
been there. 2 This shows the very powerful affect such seemingly
little things can have on a child.
If a child is going to bond to a security item, it generally happens
sometime late in their first year or sometime during their second
year of life. As with all things with babies, routine seems to help.
Obviously a parent can’t force a child to bond with a certain
item. But if a blanket or teddy become part of baby’s regular
bedtime routine, she will more likely attach to it since it is something
she’s familiar with. If your child seems drawn to a particular
item, incorporate it into your daily nap and sleeping routine.
Security blankets don’t substitute completely for parental
love and support. They are, however, for many children a natural
part of childhood. The world can be a scary place to a baby or toddler:
night times are dark, wind rattles the windows, dreams seem no different
than reality, and doctors have to give shots. Having a favorite
security blanket or item can be a source of comfort for both the
child and the parent. And when you are all grown up, they make a
nice decoration for your room!
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