Cuddling teddy bears “evokes a sense of peace, security and comfort,” psychologist Corrine Sweet said in a 2010 press release (for a Travelodge study, of all things).
“It’s human nature to crave these feelings from childhood to adult life.”
According to Bustle.com teddies and other comfort objects are very common (even in grown-up apartments):
60 percent of small children have them (and up to 35 percent of adults)!
Confession: I still remember my best non-human friend Ollie. He had huge ears and a lopsided smile and he was soft, oh softer than a baby’s bum. Yes, he’s still in my room. No, I don’t sleep with him (all the time), but seeing those floppy ears and lopsided smile, still warms my heart (and I’m 33)!
There’s no need to hide your (weird) behaviour, ‘cause cuddling soft toys are good for you and kiddo!
Great news in our household, because Minki is pretty much obsessed with The Beanie Boos. The beanie what? Yes, when we were young you had a big brown teddy bear and if you were really lucky (like me) an elephant. But times they are changing…
Beanie Boos are collectable plush toys which come in a variety of animal characters.
You can find them in Claire’s and selected Clicks Stores (just look out for their huge glittery eyes)!
Welcome to the family Quinn! (Quinn’s birthday is 12 September)!
And Baboo…
And Posey…
Can you see why he is my personal favourite?
Yes, their freakishly big eyes do follow me around the room, but I must admit that they are pretty darn cute…
Anyways as you know, kids learn through play. And even in today’s technology saturated world, the stuffed toy still makes a comeback every year.
The reason: The simplest toy brings the most joy
Why are kids drawn to stuffed animals?
#Bossbaby
Playing “mommy” or “daddy” to a stuffed animal makes children feel capable and in control.
Imaginative play is crucial to their mental and social development. Read more about the benefits of imaginary play right here.
#Metoo
Teddy does NOT judge.
Stuffed toys are the most patient invention ever. No matter how many times Minki dropped Hasie, pulled him by the ear or forgot him outside… He will always love her (thanks Whitney Houston)!
People can and probably will disappoint us – stuffed animals? Never.
Those chubby faces and large eyes somehow make the world seem like a better place.
“You’ve got a friend in me”
Remember that song from Toy Story? Stuffed animals are also called transitional objects because they provide psychological comfort, reassurance, familiarity and help children feel good,” notes Maguelonne Rousseau, a training consultant and parenting expert at Conscious Parenting.
Other studies began to suggest that comfort objects don’t threaten children’s mental health, and may indeed be developmentally advantageous.
“Up to 70 per cent of children develop a strong attachment to transitional objects. Despite what people think, it is not a sign of weakness or insecurity.”
Why we love our non-human pals
- They teach us to be independent and more confident
- They help us deal better with our emotions
- They develop our vocabulary
- They make us feel safe – a basic human need.
So next time kiddo wants to take her best friend EVERYWHERE, learn from our non-human friends and embrace this slightly weird (but beneficial), human behaviour.
Minki loves her Ty Beanie Boos from Claire’s South Africa.
They are soft, cuddly and cute, make the best playmates and even better snuggle buddies at bedtime. Cats, dogs, owls and other adorable animals come in sizes big and small. Try to collect them all!
GIVEAWAY
You can WIN a R500 gift voucher from Claire’s South Africa!
- Follow Claire’s and PrettyBelle on Facebook or Instagram
- Tag a human friend(s) who also love non-humans
You can tag as many friends as you like – no spamming please!
- Comment on the blog post and tell us: Which Beanie Boo are your personal favourite and why?
Competition close on 1 November 2018!
Winner will be announced on Facebook and Instagram Stories!
T’s and C’s apply
Prize is not transferable for cash
South African residents only
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Baboo is my favourite because its the animal I love.
Baboo is sooo cute! Thanks for entering Tiyana! Sleep tight! Xxx
Baboo. As we don’t want to know the gender of the baby, the black and white of this furry friend will compliment our nursery well and be loved by our child
Aaaw that’s perfect! Congratulations on your pregnancy Alison!! How far along are you? Let me know if it’s a girl or a boy!? Have a lovely evening soon-to-be Mama! 🙂
My Favorite is the Owl.
So cute love the colour and the adorable eyes. I love owls and so does my daughter, to own a soft cuddly one will be so wonderful.
Aaaw such a sweet pink owl! And they are all so cuddly! Thank you for entering Anu! Have a lovely evening! Xxx
I LOVE THE LITTLE OWL ! i don’t what the name is i tried to find it but alas ….. i failed ! BUT the owl is so adorable and its fluffiness !and its different from your average bear !
Haha! The owl is extremely fluffy and pink! So very cute! I also cannot remember it’s name right now! I’ll have to go and check! Thank you for entering Angel and sleep tight! Xxx
I love the Unicorn Beanie Boo because my daughter is obsessed with unicorns
Oh my word! The unicorn craze… It’s EVERYWHERE! Thanks for entering Ragmat and make sure to buy her the limited edition Unicorn ice-cream! Haha I saw it the other day in SPAR.. Have a lovely evening! Xxx
I love Baboo, plush toys are great companions for kids and even adults
Definitely Kim! Thanks for entering! And happy cuddling (With your teddy bear)! 😉
Definately Posey, there is too much body shaming in this world we want our children to be confident in themselves. Having confidence in yourself and not being ashamed of how you look is all that matters!.
HI Stefanie, I loooove this! Posey is also my favourite because of the eating everything on it’s plate! 😉 and I couldn’t have said it better! That’s what we need to teach our girls! Love it! Thanks for entering! Xxx
I love Beanie Boo Quinn the cat, I love the blue eyes. I love teaching my 20 month old daughter about animals and we would love to add a cat to our collection.
It’s so important to teach them about animals from a young age Ronnae! Holding thumbs for you and your little girl! Xxx
I love cute Quinn (hearts). My girls and I are desperate for a kitty cat and Quinn is a perfect cuddly doe eyed… What’s not to love about her
Hi Charlene, Quinn is a cutie! Thank you for entering and good luck! XXXXXXXXX
I would love a panda bear one for my son. My favorite stuffed toy was a big panda bear growing up and I would love for him to have one too
Soooo cool! Than you for entering Claire and hopefully you can win the voucher to buy the panda bear for your son! Xxx
The cutest Pig in Pink
Love this cuddly and Soft perfect for my daughter Camy to cuddle with. She adores pigs and piglets and owning this will bring her happiness and When she is happy so am I.
Aaaw so beautiful Sharne… a True mama speaking! Thank you for entering and good luck! Xxx
They are all adorable! I love the cat so does my 5-year-old daughter??
They are all adorable! I love the cat, so does my 5-year-old daughter??
They are veeeeery cute and adorable Michele! Thank you for entering (again)! 😉
Posey is my favorite, Always loved panda’s. Shared on facebook.
Posey is the cutest! Thanks for sharing Aadila! Xxx
Ons schnausers steel bykans elke dag ‘n sagte speelding uit die kinders se versameling uit hulle huis. Ouma se plig om te was en weer terug te besorg vir vlg diefstal.
Hierdie Beenie Boos het ek nog nie in Ermelo se Clicks gesien nie. Sal vanmiddag gaan oog.
Haha tannie laat my nou lag! Die Beanie Boos is net in “selected” Clicks winkels, miskien dan nie in Ermelo nie! Ek sal bietjie kyk waar ek sien en tannie laat weet! Xxxxxxxxx
Baboo is my favourite, it’s so cute and cuddly and brings back memories of my childhood. I’m sure my little girls will love this 🙂
I know right Ruweida? Minki loves them all so I’m sure your girls will love the! Good luck! Xxx
My favourite Beanie Boo is Baboo because it’s in my favourite colour black and white and I love Baboo because my kids also love Baboo so much so it makes playing time easy as we all have the same taste.
They are all adorable and so cuddly! Thanks for entering Khuselwa and good luck! Xxx
Bamboo the panda is my favourite. I simply love pandas. They are a symbol of hope for all animals.
That’s so sweet Mala! I did not know that! Thanks for entering and good luck! Xxx
Cats of course love dem catz
a True cat lady! 🙂 Thanks for entering Brenda! And good luck!
Posey is just too cute.
Super cute! Minki loooooves them all! Thanks for entering Emma! Xxx
My favourite is the little pig. It’s absolutely adorable
Haha I just love the little piggy’s tagline about eating anything… Makes me think of myself! 😉 Thanks for entering Kayla! Xxx
My favorite is Quinn – love her beautiful blue glitter ✨ eyes ?. My five year old will love her ?
She is a beauty and a cutie! Thanks for entering Mandy! Xxx
My favourite Beanie Boo is Quinn as she is cute and cuddly little kitten. My 2 year old daughter will also love her.
Aaaw Minki is also 2 and she loves all of them! Thanks for entering Cindy and good luck! Xxx
I would like a cat friend for my little doll. She loves all that crawls, purra or flies.
She is also going into hospital for a medical procedure on 6 November and a new friend to cuddle would be greatlt appreciated.
Aaaw I hope it’s not too serious Petra? They are all cute and cuddly and make the best friends. Good luck and give your little doll a big hug from me! Xxx
Merlin or Sneaky… or any of the other cats! Because we love cats even if it is a soft toy 🙂
Cat ladies.. 😉 They are all super cute and cuddly! Thank you for entering Susann! Xxx
Love the unicorn one.My daughter loves anything unicorn and it just looks so cute and soft.She would love it! Also the piggy is so adorable.
They are all adorable! And super cuddly! Minki loves them all! Thank you for entering Andrea and have a great day! Xxx
Posey is my favourite because shes so cute and my daughter can cuddle with her the whole night.??
She is a cutie!!! 🙂 Thank you for entering Nthabiseng and have a lovely day! Xxx
I love the cat and pig. I love those eyes Awh I just want to cuddle it. My daughters love cats so much and we live in a complex that doesn’t allow cats. They love putting on cat ears and running around the house meowing.
HI Tarryn, Aaaw that is so cute! Definitely some cat ladies! Thanks for entering and good luck! Xxx
Panda is my favourite ?
Bamboo is a cutie! Thanks for entering Primrose! Have a lovely evening! Xxx
Bamboo the panda ? is definitely the cutest and who doesn’t love a cute panda cub?
Aaaaw Bamboo is a cutie! Thanks for entering Carolyn and good luck! Xxx
Posey is my favorite my daughter would love a cuddle buddy,they are so so, cute and would make the best of friends
They do make the best cuddle buddies Nicole! Holding thumbs for your little princess! Xxx
Quinn is my absolute favorite because she is just too adorable with those big blue eyes. My kids love animals and love learning new things. Would be so awesome to win this amazing giveaway ❤️
Hi Zulpha, they are all super cute! Thank you so much for entering and always reading and commenting on our blogs and posts! Good luck and have a lovely evening! XXX
OH Emily and Amelia would love Quin (the kitty ) we just love kitties and erm any fluffy loveable animal xxx
Aaaaw now there’s two princesses in the house! 🙂 Thank you for entering Nicolette! Hope you are doing great! Your little princess looks like a doll! Soooo beautiful! Have a lovely evening. Xxx
Aw Posey is adorable – those big eyes and little pink snout ?
Haha I know! And I love the fact that Posey eat anything on it’s plate! Thanks for entering Kirsten!