Concept 1: Erik Erikson tells us there are there are three stages of life; Early childhood, Middle age and aging years. The use of transitional objects can help to easy our transition from one stage to another, as well as throughout each day. The object(s) can become part of our self confidence and identity.
Concept 2: The object must be chosen by the individual and not assigned by a parent or caregiver. In the early stages this can be introduced by a parent (a certain blanket or teddy bear at sleep time) but as the child grows they may begin to show favoritism towards a different object. The reason for this individual choice can be different depending on what void or need the object is filling. While the object does not replace the mother, or primary caregiver, it often offers needed support when she/he is not available.
Concept 3: The object can come in many forms. It can be drawings, teddy bears, blankets, or a toy. Adolescents and adults continue to have these transitional objects around them as they progress through life. College students will take a teddy bear from home, or something to make their dorm room more home like. Adults will take something small with them as they travel for business or have
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From my point of view, I knew he loved it and that is made him feel better when he went to sleep. It became clear to me that “baby” was also helping him to deal with his anxiety. You see my youngest struggles with any type of transitions, and has a very short fuse. He had shown great progress, but when he has a hard day or working through his feelings, he is more apt to be carrying baby around the house. This is growth, because baby used to be with him 24/7 even had to be in the bathroom when he took a bath. I think this connection was the idea I found most enlightening through this