The Joy Of The Soft Toy


by Gary Clay - Date: 2007-12-20 - Word Count: 501 Share This!

With Christmas fast approaching, or any other celebration for that matter, thoughts turn to gifts for loved ones and friends. Nothing says you care more than that soft, cuddly toy which comes in many guises. These traditional toys say 'I love you' or 'I care about you' arguably more than any other toy or trinket. These soft toys come in the forms of teddy bears - what is more traditional than that? - cute animals, beanie bags, dolls standing in mugs with yet another message of endearment etc. They all say the same thing don't they?


Children love them and are introduced in their first days of life to the soft toy. These will change in design and complexity as the child grows - some in the form of activity centres whilst others will have some kind of noise attachment or reward for executing the right movement. They help the child develop new skills as the brain functions kick in. Others are made in washable fabrics for the sake of hygiene - I can't remember people being so health conscious when I was a child, remember your mother spitting on a hankie to clean dirty faces?? - and some come with hard areas for the purpose of teething. Whatever is necessary for the child to develop you can usually find some form of soft toy to fit the bill.


So what is the advantage of giving a traditional soft toy over today's more advanced electronic toys or love tokens? I don't know anyone who will go all fluttery over a text message or email. Can you pick up an email and cuddle it? No I don't think so! Can you present an email, with a bow and a flourish, in front of co-workers to prove to your sweetheart that you are sincere? Again no! Can you keep an email on your bedside cabinet or dressing table to remind you of fond memories? Well I guess you could but it doesn't have the same feeling does it?


These days, for children, people do tend to want the toy to be teaching something. However, with a soft toy you are giving much more than a teaching aid. The child can get so attached to the object that it will only sleep if it is with them in the bed. Perhaps it will become so well loved that bits wear off over time but still this inanimate object will be favoured over all else. Possibly it is a basic need for familiarity or comfort in an ever changing and confusing world. Don't forget that a child is experiencing new emotions and experiences on a daily basis and it needs something constant to relate to - it's bunny or teddy bear.


Whenever you want to convey a special message or emotion this traditional toy may be just the way to show it. Soft toys hold a special meaning somehow and no matter what age or sex you are the recipient will always remember the occasion and the feeling of when they received it.


Related Tags: childrens toys, traditional toys, soft toy

Gary Clay is an expert on traditional toys and owner of stylish kids store Monkeyshine a retailer of quality children's toys, furniture, storage and more. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles

© The article above is copyrighted by it's author. You're allowed to distribute this work according to the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs license.
 

Recent articles in this category:



Most viewed articles in this category: