Kids are always curious about things and are constantly exploring new locations, ideas, and even identities. They absorb new things they discover and are proud of the simple achievements they manage to obtain. The toys and the materials they play with—educational or not—are a big help in their developmental stage. They are stimulants for creativity and imagination, and these help them as they grow older and face the world.

 

One of the favorite toys of kids around the globe are plushies, and they all come in different shapes, sizes, and personalities. These stuffed friends are seemingly always by their side day and night, even in sickness and health. They are like their guardian angels whenever they are scared and their special confidant in their daily lives, but there’s more to these adorable plushies than you think!

 

Despite their adorable appearance and their soft bodies, they actually have a rewarding benefit and can hone your kids’ personality and skills. Children spend the majority of their time communicating with their buddy, and it’s expected that they will form a special bond with that toy. While some simply cling to these adorable plushies, these toys play a vital role in the overall development of the child.

 

Surprising Benefits of Plushies

 

1. The first step to independence. You might notice that kids without a plushie tend to be clingy or overly dependent on someone else, can’t initiate conversations sometimes, and tend to be aloof. Some kids look at their plushies as a guardian, and it actually helps them do tasks on their own and muster the courage to ask for help.

Plushies are like their small bodyguards when things feel scary, and it’s always nice to have someone to depend on for the simple relief and assurance that it will be okay. They view these adorable plushies as guardian angels ready to take them in whenever they fail or win—thus improving their sense of independence.

2. A sense of comfort. Do you always understand what your toddlers want to say? What does “macaroni prince mumbo jumbo” mean, and why is it scary? Your children might be too young to express themselves, and even a parent can be utterly lost with their unique terminologies and logic.

But for them, their best friend plushie always knows what’s up, and they are always there to lean on. They tell them their secrets, and sometimes this helps them process what’s bothering them. Their plushie is their partner, and it hones their control over their emotions and their ability to express themselves. This is usually done through role play by themselves or with other friends.

 

3. Developing their communication skills. They talk a lot with their stuffed buddies since they always seem to listen to their thoughts and rants. As they keep on doing this, they are slowly aware of their own voice and the sounds they make. They might even try to communicate more with you as they might even notice themselves that they improved. It will be a slow process of learning but it’s guaranteed to boost their confidence in talking and making friends. Kids who speak up what’s on their mind tends to be more successful and more sociable if developed properly.

 

4. A sense of responsibility. Kids are naturally unruly and carefree, but having a plushie by their side gives them an urge to protect their toy. They treat their plushie as a family member and are sometimes closer to it than they are to their own family members. Since they treat their plushies as their guardian angels, they return the favor by protecting them and caring for them at all costs. They tend to do what they think is best for their plushies and treat them kindly whenever they can.

 

5. Inspiring them to make more friends. Kids with plushies are actually more confident in making friends and confidently talk to them without any hesitation. They gather ideas and courage from the role plays they do with their plushies, recreate scenarios, and experiment with them in their head—and sometimes down to the last detail! While their attempts at speaking may not be perfect, the kids actually want to try harder and strive for success.

 

6. Helping them understand their emotions. Since kids recreate scenarios and have pretend conversations in their head, it also gives them an idea of why they feel that way and what they need to do to feel better. While their solution doesn’t really make sense to you, it helps them act on what they feel will make things better. It gives them options on what they could do to help themselves, and they slowly learn how to open up.

 

You can also encourage them by asking their plushie questions, such as an emotion associated with your child. Ask the doll why she’s happy or sad, and the child will tell you the scenarios that made them happy and sad. It will give you a better understanding of what your child might be going through.