Shutterstock So what can you do?įirst, try to model the behaviour you would like your child to perform. Like adults, children hold onto things ‘just in case’ they need them again. For example, a child that used to love colouring but has since moved onto different hobbies might still be reluctant to throw out the old crayons just in case. Just like adults, children can fall into the “ I might need this later” trap.
That old, now ill-fitting and faded t-shirt they are reluctant to throw out might be serving as a reminder of how special and loved they felt at their birthday party. It’s easy to imagine how parting with something viewed in such a manner might be a challenge. Interacting with toys in this way is believed to have benefits for psychological and social development. Some toys take on a kind of “friend” status. Children were more likely to request their original toy be returned instead of the new copy, indicating a level of attachment to the original toy. They could either choose to have a copy of their toy, or have their original toy returned. In one clever study, children were presented with a “duplicating machine” based on a simple conjuring trick. Over time, children may come to treat a toy as a unique individual. When should you worry about your child's attachment to comfort items?
However, the type of comfort can become more complex as the child ages. Researchers view this early attachment behaviour as the objects acting as a comforting parental substitute in between parental contact.Īs children get older, through early childhood into early teens, a sense of comfort remains as one of the primary reasons behind attachment to possessions. Infants can become distressed when blankets and teddy bears are removed. Are kids’ toys taking over your house? Shutterstock When and why do kids become attached to possessions?Īttachment to objects begins in a child’s first year of life.
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