ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Woman reveals outrage as mother-in-law shares her pregnancy before she could

Woman reveals outrage as mother-in-law shares her pregnancy before she could

We couldn't have kids so we adopted SIX!

We couldn't have kids so we adopted SIX!

Angelina our angel is defying the odds

Angelina our angel is defying the odds

FESTIVE FAIL: 'I'm allergic to Christmas trees!'

FESTIVE FAIL: 'I'm allergic to Christmas trees!'

{headline}

{headline}

I carried my leg out of the bush!

I carried my leg out of the bush!

We tried for one more and got FOUR!

We tried for one more and got FOUR!

My pup's a mum to 200 rescues

My pup's a mum to 200 rescues

{headline}

{headline}

Face to face with Australia's MOST NOTORIOUS armed robbers

Face to face with Australia's MOST NOTORIOUS armed robbers

Till death do us part

Till death do us part

A new eye for Annabelle

A new eye for Annabelle

Scarred for life by me evil ex

Scarred for life by me evil ex

Purr-fect passenger - My cat can ski!

Purr-fect passenger - My cat can ski!

I pulled my hubby from a house fire

I pulled my hubby from a house fire

Dad's got robot arms!

Dad's got robot arms!

  1. Home
  2. Real Life

What it means if your child has a 'blankie'

That blanket or teddy your child is obsessed with is actually a good thing - by that's life!
  • 17 Apr 2017
What it means if your child has a 'blankie'

They are commonly thought of as childish and immature, but that blanket or teddy your child is obsessed with is actually a good thing.

 

Also known as transitional objects, these items provide great comfort and support to children.

In 1951, child psychologist Dr. D.W. Winnicott first defined the transitional object as  “any material to which an infant attributes a special value and by means of which the child is able to make the necessary shift from the earliest oral relationship with mother to genuine object-relationships.”

In his view, the objects help navigate separation for a child.

Additionally, Steve Tuber, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at City College told The New York Times: “The baby knows the teddy bear is not Mum, but the baby can get a certain satisfaction. It is neither Mum nor totally just a stuffed animal.”

...

Previous research shows children with comfort objects are less shy and more focused than children without them.

Transitional objects are also a good indicator for how children will go interacting and creating human friendships.

Colleen Goddard writes for Psychology Today: “Human development is not possible without self-referential contexts and meanings.

“Meanings are founded on the distinctions each person makes of the stimuli he or she engages with” — mainly the object(s) they receive, choose, or discover which have an internal life of their own.”

While it might be worrying for some parents and tempting to take the object away at some point, Goddard advises against this, saying “if the self-appointed object is refuted, critiqued or denied in any way, attachment difficulties may arise later in life.”

“The object allows for and invites emotional well-being, and without such an object, true feelings may be concealed, suppressed, or dismissed as the infant/child has no other means by which to cope with, comprehend, and contend with the world.”

This article first published by Practical Parenting.

That's Life Mega Monthly! -SAVE UP TO 20%

LESS THAN $4.17 AN ISSUE - TRY IT TODAY!

Subscribe Now
That's Life Mega Monthly!

That's Life Mega Monthly! -SAVE UP TO 20%

LESS THAN $4.17 AN ISSUE - TRY IT TODAY!

Subscribe Now
That's Life Mega Monthly!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Woman reveals outrage as mother-in-law shares her pregnancy before she could

Woman reveals outrage as mother-in-law shares her pregnancy before she could

We couldn't have kids so we adopted SIX!

We couldn't have kids so we adopted SIX!

Angelina our angel is defying the odds

Angelina our angel is defying the odds

FESTIVE FAIL: 'I'm allergic to Christmas trees!'

FESTIVE FAIL: 'I'm allergic to Christmas trees!'

{headline}

{headline}

I carried my leg out of the bush!

I carried my leg out of the bush!

We tried for one more and got FOUR!

We tried for one more and got FOUR!

My pup's a mum to 200 rescues

My pup's a mum to 200 rescues

{headline}

{headline}

Face to face with Australia's MOST NOTORIOUS armed robbers

Face to face with Australia's MOST NOTORIOUS armed robbers

Till death do us part

Till death do us part

A new eye for Annabelle

A new eye for Annabelle

Scarred for life by me evil ex

Scarred for life by me evil ex

Purr-fect passenger - My cat can ski!

Purr-fect passenger - My cat can ski!

I pulled my hubby from a house fire

I pulled my hubby from a house fire

Dad's got robot arms!

Dad's got robot arms!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

That's Life Mega Monthly! -SAVE UP TO 20%

Shop This Offer
That's Life Mega Monthly!