Conception is the initial stage of development and attachment begins in the womb. Growing babies can benefit from sound and touch while they are still in utero. The moment a baby is born, skin-to-skin contact is vital for emotional, physical, and mental growth. During this attachment bonding period, a mother and baby’s heartbeats will synchronize.
It is a beautiful time where life almost stands still as the baby is first welcomed into the world.
As a baby grows, so does their need for human interaction and touch. Attachment is based on communication. Parent child connections are formed through sensorial contact and tactile stimulation, which is essential for children and reinforcing secure attachments. In fact, brain and neurological development is dependent upon tactile stimulation. Research shows that deprivation of sensory stimulation, especially touch, adversely affects the healthy development of the child. Some children that lack this type of sufficient attachment may even experience a form of failure to grow or thrive.
Therefore, the more you physically touch and verbally interact with your child, the more securely attached they will feel, and the more they will thrive.
In fact, parent interactions and sensory activities shape the experience of a child. Did you know that the surface area of the skin has an enormous number of sensory receptors? In addition to enhancing attachment, tactile stimulation also enhances development of the nervous system, reduces the stress hormone called cortisol, and releases the anti-stress hormone called oxytocin. Human touch also helps alleviate colic and gastrointestinal problems, asthma symptoms and increases circulation, and improves the immune system.
As a child therapist and mother of two small children, I strongly believe in the power of sensory touch and play to promote attachment. I have seen some miraculous changes in behavior with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages through sensory touch and play. Both promote tactile development and will enhance a secure parent child attachment. This is how parent child interactions influence brain development through physical touch, social interaction, and sensory stimuli.
Besides a sufficient amount of human touch, a wonderful way for your child to achieve the benefits of attachment, sensory touch, and play is through having a Slumberkins cuddly creature. Each Slumberkins cuddly creature is created with a unique theme and promotes attachment through interactive rhyming stories. Bigfoot promotes positive self-esteem and self concepts. Sloth promotes relaxation, mind-body connection, and anxiety management. Fox promotes coping skills around big change or transition. Yeti promotes mindfulness. And Hammerhead promotes positive coping skills around conflict resolution. You can download all of the sleepytime rhyming stories here https://slumberkins.com/pages/sleepytime-rhymes. Sleepytime Rhymes are a creative collaboration of educational and therapeutic concepts brought to Slumberkins by the founder’s unique educational backgrounds. Therapeutic concepts were infused into creative rhyming stories to promote relaxation and self esteem in children. Sleepytime Rhymes include techniques from progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and positive affirmations.
“For parents, they are a resource for how to teach life skills and build positive attachments during the cherished bedtime routine. For children, they are magical best friends, ready to be snuggled, through all of childhood’s wild adventures.”
If your child is suffering from some separation anxiety since school began, Slumberkins cuddly creatures are also a good source of attachment in your absence. If you would like more solutions for ways to help your child with separation anxiety, please visit this blog http://theparentologist.com/lets-talk-about-the-top-10-solutions-for-childhood-separation-anxiety/
My daughter owns the Ultra-Plush Bigfoot and my son owns the Medium-Weight Fox since the Ultra-Plush material isn’t recommended for teething babies. Both Slumberkins are so lightweight and can fit in any diaper bag or backpack! My daughter has been attached to her Bigfoot and hasn’t let “him” out of her site or hands since he arrived in the mail. She even named him Pineapple! She sleeps with him at night, takes him in the car with her when we travel, and she even has tea parties with him! My son holds his Fox’s hands (still unnamed) and crawls with it hand in hand across the room as he plays. He will even put one of the Fox’s hands in his mouth and it soothes him when we are in the car. And Slumberkins are made out of the softest material we have ever touched! They are made from a super soft fabric and stuffed with hypoallergenic 100% polyester fill. Seriously, so soft!!
Two very talented and educated moms in Oregon started Slumberkins. Best friends since high school and along the way into motherhood, Kelly has a dual Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling and speaks four languages!! Callie has a Master’s in Teaching with endorsements in Elementary Education and Special Education. Between them they have 6 children! With their immense amount of education, experience, and motherhood, they are well versed in creating a product that has therapeutic value with parents and children in mind! And I have to also share that these women are two of the most delightful, kind, and generous women I have ever met. I had the pleasure of meeting them both this past weekend while they were in town at a pop up event. Kelly even got on the floor to play with my daughter while Callie and I talked for a few moments. My daughter came home telling me she had made two new best friends.
And if you are an educator, therapist, social worker, counselor, or community program working with youth, you can apply for a Slumberkins grant by September 30th here https://slumberkins.com/pages/grant-program These grants support the social emotional learning of children.
For more information please visit the Slumberkins website https://slumberkins.com and to buy your own cuddly creature, please shop https://slumberkins.com/collections/all For a small additional charge, you can even have your child’s name embroidered on their cuddly creature! And to follow on Instagram, please click here https://www.instagram.com/slumberkins/ and on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/slumberkins
And make sure you pre-order their new board books!! We got a sneak peek of these incredible books at the pop up shop and can’t wait to own them! To reserve yours, please click here https://slumberkins.com/collections/sleepytime-rhymes
And make sure to use the exclusive DRKIM code to receive FREE SHIPPING on your next Slumberkins USA order and DRKIMWORLDWIDE and take $5 off International orders!!
Such a great read. Before I made the choice be a stay at home Mom I was a pre school and toddler teacher. This is some useful info for when I decide to go back to work. Thanks so much
Thank you so much for reading and for your positive feedback!! I’m so glad you found it helpful and useful.