A toddler’s relationship with a stuffed animal or blanket is actually a part of early development: attachment to inanimate objects. While it might look like simple affection, new research suggests this behavior may be a deeper coping strategy tied to early childcare experiences and even genetics. 

Researchers have explored this phenomenon using data from over 1,100 pairs of three-year-old twins.  The researchers found that these “security objects” often serve as a way for kids to cope with separation and daily stress, especially when they spend time away from parents during the day. 

As more children spend their days in childcare, early separation from caregivers has become part of modern family life. The study suggests that some kids cope with this separation by forming attachments to “security objects”. Examples are soft toys, blankets, or other items that provide comfort and continuity. 

The study also found that both genes and environment play an equal role in whether a child develops an attachment to an object. Some kids may simply be more likely to seek comfort in familiar, cozy items. 

Researchers found that comfort objects are a normal and healthy part of child development. They help children handle big emotions, sleep more easily, and feel secure when parents aren’t around. Over time, most kids naturally grow out of needing them as they become more independent, but when they’re in their young childhood, it’s something that provides needed comfort for them. 

If you want to read more, click here! 

Angelina Stofka 

UConn KIDS, Research Assistant 

The answer to last week’s question: About how many hours do newborns sleep per day? 

Is 16-17 hours! 

This week’s trivia question is: 

At what age do autobiographical memories become reliably accurate?

1. 1 year old  
2. 2 years old 
3. 3 years old  
4. 4 years old  

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this week’s question! 

The answer to last week’s question: Which sense is not fully developed at birth? 

Is vision!

This week’s trivia question is: 

About how many hours do newborns sleep per day?

1. 9-10 hours
2. 13-14 hours
3. 16-17 hours
4. 19-20 hours

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this week’s question! 

The answer to last week’s question: At what age do most children begin to use two-word sentences? 

Is 2 years old! 

This week’s trivia question is: 

Which sense is not fully developed at birth? 

1. Vision
2. Hearing 
3. Taste 
4. Smell 

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this week’s question! 

Loose parts play is a free form play where children are given open-ended materials, that can be very beneficial for their cognitive development. Loose parts play involves various toys and materials that children can use in combination or isolation like cardboard, sticks, sand, and beads. These items are typically not intended for play, but children figure out different ways they can use them in their play, which is how loose parts inhibit their creativity and cognitive development. Play provides opportunities for intrinsic motivation which is important for long-term academic and personal success. Structured learning is usually dependent on external rewards, whereas play allows children to be driven by their own curiosity and interests.  

 

Researchers have found that it has helped with children’s problem-solving, creativity, academic skills (reading and math), and both convergent and divergent thinking. One study found that children who played with more natural and creative materials performed better in evaluated problem-solving and language skills. Another study determined that divergent play materials led to originality and fluency in problem-solving, whereas convergent materials led to strategic and task-focused problem-solving. These findings are only some of the many discoveries that researchers have made about the positive influences that loose parts have on cognitive development. 

 

If you want to read more, click here! 

Angelina Stofka 

UConn KIDS, Research Assistant 

 

As many of you may know, Bluey is a television program that is very popular amongst children, especially of the preschool age, but is also popular amongst parents because of the messages that the show promotes. A prevalent theme of the show is resilience which is the ability to confront, overcome, and become stronger by life’s challenges. Resilience is very important for children to acquire to help with their regulation of emotions and well-being.  

 

150 episodes of Bluey were analyzed, with resilience being featured across both as primary and secondary themes in a total of 73 out of 150 episodes. The topics of the show pertain to situations that preschoolers are often faced with, which is how children are able to relate to the characters of the show. Researchers have found that Bluey was consistent with containing resilience messages like emotional regulation, persistence, and problem-solving through their main character. With resilience being such a common theme of the episodes, it might encourage children to model the behavior that they are witnessing. It has been reported that repeated exposure to consistent themes can help children with comprehension and retention of the themes. Watching Bluey with children and using on-screen moments as conversation starters can help establish key messages about resilience in real life for children. Not only is Bluey entertaining for children, but it’s also teaching them about important life skills like resilience; something everyone can benefit from! 

 

If you want to read more, click here! 

Angelina Stofka 

UConn KIDS, Research Assistant 

The answer to last week’s question, “By age 3, about how many words are children able to understand?”  

Is 20,000 words! 

This week’s trivia question is:  

An infant’s brain is 25% of its adult weight at birth, how much of its adult weight is the brain by age 3? 

1. 60% 
2. 70% 
3. 80% 
4. 90% 

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this week’s question!

Angie is a research assistant for UConn KIDS. She is a senior Psychological Sciences major, minoring in Human Development & Family Sciences in the Early Childhood Specializations program. After graduating, she plans on attending graduate school to become a counselor for young children and their families. She is involved with the University Ballet Company on campus and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. 

Angie is eager to be a research assistant this semester because she loves to help the supporting of children and their development, and we are so excited for her to be here! 

The answer to last week’s question, “At what age is the brain fully developed?”  

Is 20-30 years old! 

This week’s trivia question is: 

By age 3, about how many words are children able to understand?

1. 1,500
2. 8,000
3. 12,000
4. 20,000

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this week’s question! 

Talking to young children is more important than you’d think. Talking to infants and toddlers will help promote linguistic nutrition and mental exercise that will help build the child’s brain and intelligence. Talking to young children is something beneficial for their brain development and is something families can do despite their socioeconomic status.  

 

Hearing language is the basis of oral language skills which are fundamental to intelligence. Although babies aren’t able to talk back, it’s important that they’re hearing language around them. Oral language provides children with an important tool for thought and without fluent and structured oral language, it will be difficult for children to think as they get older.  

 

Dialogue, like narrating an infant or toddler’s play, can really help oral language development. It doesn’t have to be excessive or complicated language, rather it’s better to use simple language that corresponds to things in the child’s daily life, such as toys or changing their diaper. 

 

The first thousand days of life are a period of a vast amount of learning that families should take advantage of to empower them to help, support, and nourish their children’s brain development. Babies are born ready to learn but they’ll only achieve their full potential with support from their families. 

 

If you want to read more, click here!  

Angelina Stofka 

UConn KIDS, Research Assistant