All about transitional objects

As a parent, you might have heard the term ‘transitional objects’ being used. You may especially notice this around the time that your child is preparing for changes in their life, such as starting school or nursery – but what are they?  

What are transitional objects? 

Transitional objects are items that are used to support ourselves and our children in unfamiliar situations. You may already be doing this with your little one, for example if they take a comfort toy or teddy out with them.  

The name ‘transitional objects’ came from Donald Winnicott, a paediatrician and psychoanalyst who used the term to describe the attachment that young children form with items such as blankets and soft toys that they use as support. 

Transitional objects are often chosen personally by a child. They may form an attachment with something that you might not expect, especially as they are beginning to develop their own preferences, likes and dislikes. 

What is so good about transitional objects? 

Transitional objects are great for providing comfort and familiarity to young children, especially when they are going somewhere that is not familiar to them. These objects support children in the early stages of learning how to self-regulate.  

There may be different aspects of these objects that children find comforting, for example, this could be the texture of them, or the smell. 

Even in adulthood, some of us continue to comfort ourselves using objects – a lot of us have a favourite mug to drink our morning tea from or have a big old jumper that we pop on when we are feeling down in the dumps. These objects are like a big, warm hug to us (and our children).  

Transitional objects and your child 

Does your child have an object that they love to take everywhere with them? Was it something that you expected, like a teddy they were given as a baby, or was it something else that you didn’t see coming? Have you kept hold of a favourite item from your own childhood?  

We have been chatting about some of the more unusual objects we have known children to be very attached to – vegetables, kitchen utensils and stones, to name just a few. We would love to hear about your child’s favourite object – why not visit our Facebook community and take part in our Facebook poll?