Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or not, you will agree that giant teddy bears are adorable. However, what most people don’t know is the huge role they play in a child’s life and how that role is critical to a child’s development. From research to new moms, information abounds about how a teddy bear can help a child develop social skills and healthy habits.
In this article, we will discuss;
The origin of the teddy bear
Why teddy bears Are important
What to look out for when getting a teddy bear for your child
The Origin of the Teddy Bear – Where Did The Teddy Bear Come From?
In the year 1902, President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt went on a bear hunting trip in Mississippi. After going several days without success and getting impatient, his guides decided to capture a black bear and tied it to a tree so that the president can shoot it. The president refused, saying that it was unsportsmanlike for him to do that. This incident was wildly reported in the media, and to honor the president for his actions, toy manufacturers were creating “teddy bears” in honor of the president.
The first teddy bears were made using plush fabric and filled with stuffing's, much like what is obtainable today. However, unlike today’s teddy bears, these early teddies were made with real bear furs much to the annoyance of customers who became concerned about animal welfare.
Today, teddy bears have become a beloved childhood companions, and there are teddy bear hospitals where a child can take their sick cuddly friends for treatment. Again, you can’t see most children without their faithful stuffed friend in their hand.
So, Why are Teddy Bears Important?
There are numerous reasons why a big teddy bear is critical to your child’s development, and we will discuss the roles that a giant teddy bear plays in helping your child grow.
Comfort and Security - Without mincing words, you know how important security and stability are to the growth and mental development of your child. When your child is upset, you hug them to comfort and calm them down, and they feel better. In your absence for whatever reason, a teddy bear is a comfort toy that your child can hug when they feel anxious or upset, and self-soothe themselves. This kind of on-demand comfort is ideal for your child, allowing them to better understand their own feelings, and how to show them to others.
Help Build Trust in People - More than a comfort toy, a giant teddy bear has a giant ear and heart. This means that your child can talk to their friend and share their feelings. This helps your child express themselves and open up to people. A teddy bear shows your child how to open up and trust people, including you as the caregiver or parent. By opening up, they learn social skills and develop emotionally. Also, a teddy bear teaches your child how to communicate how they feel instead of throwing tantrums when they are upset.
Acceptance and Health Esteem - Children need to feel loved and accepted so they grow up with self-confidence and healthy self-esteem. A Jumbo teddy bear is always smiling at your child irrespective of their behavior. This gives your child a feeling of acceptance which they need to grow into confident and self-loving adults.
Responsibility at a Tender Age - Owning a oversized teddy bear teaches your child empathy and how to be responsible for someone else other than themselves. This helps your child mature faster and more trustworthy since they will learn to be responsible and careful with other things in their lives.
Mental Capabilities - A life size teddy bear helps your child develop their creativity and express their imagination since a teddy bear can be anything to your child. Whether the teddy is a prince, a dragon, or a princess, your child’s ability to dream and visualize is encouraged, which improves your child’s learning, and boosts speech and storytelling abilities; which will in turn help them learn and perform better in school.
Form Good Habits - It is not news that children mirror the actions of the ones they love. So, to help your child eat veggies, learn how to brush their teeth, and go to bed early, you can enact these actions with the teddy bear, and how much the teddy bear enjoyed these activities. Your child will mirror these actions and develop these habits.
What to Look Out For When Buying a Teddy Bear for Your Child
With teddy bears available in different shapes and sizes sold in millions of stores all over the world, it can be difficult to know how to select the right toy for your child. To help with that, we have created a simple checklist so you don’t get the wrong toy that can cause harm to your child. This checklist will not only helpful when getting a teddy bear, but it is something you should take note of when getting any toy for your kid.
Age Appropriate - The first thing to note when getting a huge teddy bear is if the toy is appropriate for your child, age wise. All you simply need to do is look at the label on the teddy. Also, ensure that the teddy has a tag that shows that it passed the quality check and poses no threat or hazard to your child.
Material - We have shown that getting a teddy bear for your child is more than just picking a teddy from the shelf or ordering one online. When picking a teddy bear, a critical point to note is the material. You want a material that is easy to clean by simply throwing it in a washing machine or spot cleaning. Also, since your child will put their giant teddy bear in their mouth, ensure there is nothing that can cause a choking hazard.
Educational Value - Since a teddy bear can foster your child’s mental development, it is ideal to purchase a teddy bear not just for its cuteness, but also for its educational value. So get a teddy bear that has an educational component. Some can help your child learn numbers, motor skills, or other intellectual skills. This is an ideal way for you to combine fun and early education for your child.
Conclusion: Teddy Bear - A Key Part of Childhood.
A teddy bear plays a critical role in the life of a child. Recent research shows that 53% of adult men still have their childhood teddy, and about 28% still go to bed with a teddy. This shows you how important a teddy bear is to a child. So the next time you see a giant teddy bear, just remember that it is more than a cute toy. Instead, think of all the life-changing benefits your child can get from having one.
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