In the morning, when I wake up, my son is always hugging a stuffed bear next to me. My heart is always filled with warmth when I see her hair that has become a habit of sleeping and her small hands holding it tightly. Do you have any special stuffed animals for your child?
Stuffed animals are magical friends ✨
"Mom, Kuma is hungry too."
"I had a scary dream about Kuma-san, so I'm going to sleep with you."
Such conversations are our daily life. In my son's eyes, stuffed animals are indeed " Alive It's not just a "toy", it's an important friend who shares both joy and sorrow.
Stuffed animals are special for children who understand their feelings without exchanging words
When I see my son coming home from kindergarten and eagerly talking to the stuffed bear about the events of the day, I can't help but feel the mysterious power of stuffed animals.
Memories 🧸 with my chocolate
Actually, when I was a child, I also loved a stuffed rabbit called "Choco-chan". Until I went to elementary school, I was with Choco-chan wherever I went. Frayed ears, buttoned eyes that have been re-sewn by her mother many times. Now that I think about it, it may have been tattered. But for me, The World's Greatest Treasure It was.
In a psychology class at university, " Migration Targets When I learned the word, I thought, "Oh, it's about Choco-chan." When you are anxious about being away from your parents, it is a symbol of peace of mind that you can entrust your feelings. My favorite Choco-chan was just like that.
Even now, Choco-chan is cherished in the closet of my parents' house. When I see you after a long time, I feel strangely calm.
The invisible gift 🎁 brought by stuffed animals
1. A body pillow 🌙 named for a sense of security
This is a story I heard from a nursery school teacher. "Children who are holding stuffed animals during nap time fall asleep well."
This is also supported by science. A university professor told me that by hugging a fluffy stuffed animal, Oxytocin It seems that the "happiness hormone" is secreted. That's why children may naturally look for stuffed animals when they are anxious.
On the day my son had a fever and took a break from nursery school, he said, "Mr. Kuma will take care of me," and I didn't let go of the stuffed animal for a long time. The sense of security that stuffed animals give may sometimes be more than that of us parents.
2. Playmates 🦋 that spread the wings of imagination
"Kuma-san is a doctor, and I am a patient."
"Mr. Kuma and Mr. Lion are brothers."
Using stuffed animals " Pretend play " enriches children's imagination. My son also creates stories with the stuffed animals.
The other day, Yukiko, a mom friend from kindergarten, said. "My child has become very good at acting out conversations between stuffed animals, and the teacher said, 'Your conversation skills have improved.'"
Looking back, when I was a child, I also had tea parties with Choco and went on adventures. That experience may be the origin of my creativity today.
3. Lessons 💕 to Foster Compassion
"Kuma-san says it's cold, so I'll put a futon on you."
"Okay, kid, it doesn't hurt."
The way he cherishes stuffed animals is as " Compassion It has become a practice. My son's kindergarten teacher told me that children who treat stuffed animals kindly often treat their friends with compassion.
I myself remember that when Choco-chan's eyes were removed, I desperately called out, "Doesn't it hurt?" Even as a child, he must have developed a desire to protect his important existence.
Plush toys 🌍 loved across cultures
I learned about it when I was studying abroad in college, but in France, " Dodo Small stuffed animals and towels are considered essential for babies. It is something that you always carry with you like a talisman and give you peace of mind.
In the United States, " Teddy Bear " is popular as a symbol of courage, and in Japan, there is also a culture of "offering" old stuffed animals. It is a unique Japan way of thinking that "things also have souls".
The other day, when my son's stuffed bear leg was torn, he complained with a crying face, "I have to take him to the hospital!" I immediately performed the "surgery" with a needle and thread, but when I saw my son's serious expression at that time, I realized that the Japanese " A heart that values things I realized that it is naturally inherited.
The bond 👵 with stuffed animals that continues even into adulthood
"I'm embarrassed, but I actually still sleep with stuffed animals."
At a drinking party with my mom friends at nursery school, I was excited by this confession. Surprisingly, many adults cherish their childhood stuffed animals or are healed by new stuffed animals.
I am one of them. On days when I am tired, I sometimes bring chocolate from my parents' house and sleep with her. It strangely calms my mind.
My university teacher said, " Plush Therapy for Adults I was researching it. In a stressful society, the act of touching and hugging has a healing effect on the mind.
My child and a stuffed animal, the story 📖 of the future
A stuffed bear that my son cherishes. I'm sure someday, like my chocolate, it will be frayed and faded. But such " Proof of being loved I think it will be an irreplaceable memory.
When I asked, "Are you going to grow up with Kuma?", my son replied, "Yes! Even when we grow up, we will be together!" I replied. Listening to those words, my childhood spent with Choco came back vividly.
Stuffed animals are sometimes closer to children's hearts than parents, and are quiet spectators who watch over their growth
Maybe deep down we believe that stuffed animals are alive. That's why they are so loving and forgiving.
Summary: Big Love 💝 in Little Hands
Plush toys are never "just toys". An important partner that fosters a sense of security, enriches imagination, and teaches compassion in children. And even as an adult, they are irreplaceable and support for their hearts.
My chocolate, my son Kuma. Although the shape is different, its role is the same. Even if times change, stuffed animals will give children Invisible Gifts will not change in the future.
If you find your child's precious stuffed animal, please listen to their own "story". It should be filled with the growth of the child's mind.
\What is special stuffed animal for your child? ／
