Photo: @Bymariapia via Instagram
Lisa Brown* knows the benefits of her five-year-old son?s long-term relationship with his loveys: They comfort Ben in times of stress, soothe him to sleep and give him confidence when he needs a boost. But her husband wonders if Ben is getting too old to be dragging around his beloved monkey, among other stuffies.
A four- or five-year-old with a lovey isn?t cause for concern, says Lynne Reside, a former early childhood educator and director of communication for the Board of Early Childhood Educators in North Okanagan, BC. She says it?s typical for children in junior or senior kindergarten to still have loveys. ?You might be concerned if a 10-year-old is walking around with a blankie, but from a developmental perspective, a five-year-old taking one to school isn?t a big deal,? she says. On the whole, loveys?blankets or stuffed animals also known as comfort objects or transitional objects?are considered a positive part of development.
?A comfort object helps children learn self-regulation and calming skills. The lovey helps them feel more secure during separations from parents,? says Michelle Ponti, a London, Ont., paediatrician.
This fondness for a lovey or blanket usually begins to solidify around the one-year mark, because it?s often a time of major change. You might be going back to work after parental leave, and your child could be weaning, starting daycare or spending more time with a babysitter. It?s normal for the bond with Mr. Bear to...