Why children carry the same toy from room to room, according to psychology

A toddler carrying a soft toy from the bedroom to the living room, insisting on taking it along during family outings or becoming upset when it is nowhere to be found may appear to be attached to a favourite plaything. But for some children, the object serves a purpose beyond entertainment: it offers familiarity, comfort and a sense of security as they navigate an unfamiliar or overwhelming world.Child-development researchers have studied this behaviour under the concept of transitional objects or attachment objects. These are familiar items, often soft toys, blankets or pieces of cloth, that children turn to for reassurance. Their significance lies not necessarily in what the object does, but in how the child feels when it is nearby.The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that such objects can help children cope with separation from caregivers, tiredness, distress and unfamiliar surroundings.