The holidays have a way of encouraging us to turn our thoughts to kinder, gentler, more comforting things. But those things that bring us peace and calm and joy are not just needed at holiday time. From our early childhood and throughout our lives, we crave tangibles that provide comfort and security. Our favorite toys play an important role in meeting this emotional and physical need. A familiar toy to hold or cuddle when scared, lonely, or uncertain, can provide reassurance through even the darkest moments.
Toys have been used to console individuals during the toughest emotional and physical situations: when traumatized by natural disasters, frightened, distressed or sad, for a sense of security, to alleviate separation anxiety, during sickness and transitional situations. Toys have also been helpful in reducing agitation or distress and improving communication problems in the elderly suffering with Alzheimer’s. Autistic children benefit immensely from interaction with toys.
A couple of years ago, my team developed a toy with a sound-activated, interactive light-up feature. Shortly after the toy was released, we received a letter from an autistic child’s physician. He wrote that the child had just spoken his first full sentence as a result of playing with our toy.
An article posted on Chopsy Baby Parenting News, September 26, 2011, says “studies have shown that over 70% of children in the western world become attached to a particular toy or blanket. It is believed that this is more prevalent in the western world because western children tend to sleep separately from their parents from a much earlier age. The toy can carry the smell of their mother and their familiar texture offers almost immediate comfort.”
Animals also experience comfort and security from toys. From dog pillows with the rhythm of a heart beat or the warmth of a mother, to familiar sounds in playthings for cats, our furry friends benefit emotionally and physically from special toys. Earlier this year, a study was conducted at the Melbourne Zoo on a baby spider monkey that had been rejected by her mother. The baby monkey was given stuffed toys to create a sense of warmth and support as she adjusted to the rejection of her mother.
This season as the kids happily rip into their packages and pull out cuddly playthings, or soon-to-be-favorite dolls, think about the positive influence toys provide in their lives. Take some time to think back on your own favorite toy and how it cheered you. The toy may be long gone, but the comfort and joy it provided will never be erased. That’s a gift worth giving!
Recent Blogs
General
McHALE DESIGN CASE STUDY: MONSTERVERSE- THE LEGEND CONTINUES…
General
Build-A-Bear Celebrates National Teddy Bear Day with Donation to The Toy Foundation™
Industry Commentary, Op-Ed
Toy Foundation Auction is Now Open for Your Bids
Industry Commentary, Op-Ed
Bracelets, Stickers, and Viral Fame: The Story Behind Sky Castle Toys’ Sticki Rolls
Biographies and Interviews
Chrissy Fagerholt: Luck is when Preparation Meets Opportunity!
See more
Recent Wiki
BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson
BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: Erno Rubik and his Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya
BOOK REVIEWS
Game Review: Trip Chaser
COMPANIES
Learning Express Toys Hosts 25th Annual Convention & Toy Expo at JW Marriott Tucson
MISCELLANEOUS
Submit Your LA Showroom Details for 2025 Toy Previews
See more
POP's Got Talent
POP Entertainment
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
POP Entertainment
Steve Casino Peanut Art
POP Entertainment
Everyone's Talking about POP!
POP Entertainment
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
POP Entertainment
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
See more
Recent POPcast
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
See more
POPDuos
POPDuos: Interviews with Legends and Leaders
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuos: Interviews with Legends and Leaders
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POPDuos: Legends and Leaders Explore Creativity
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POPDuos: Legends and Leaders Explore Creativity
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POPDuos: Legends and Leaders Explore Creativity
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer
See more
Featured Articles
The Bloom Report
Toy Inventors--The Heart and Soul of the Industry
The Bloom Report
Brian Turtle: 'Endless' Stories, Advice, Kevin Bacon and More! tBR Person of the Week
Biographies and Interviews
Jonathan Levy on Jon2.0 - from Co-Founding Mastermind Toys to Spin Master
Biographies and Interviews
Andrew Perlmutter's Journey from Glencoe to Funko with Crazy Ideas that turned out Golden
See more
