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The Soft Toy Comes Of Age
By Gary Clay

Since the first soft toy hit the scene, many years ago, it has become perhaps the most favoured toy amongst the millions on offer. Traditional toys - the teddy for example - have been given to children throughout the ages. Many have grown so attached to them that they still keep them even though they, and the bear, have reached pension age. Of course, fashions change over the years and today's child has more choice in soft toys than anyone can imagine. Rag dolls, elephants, sheep, rabbits etc., they are all there.

Bright colours abound and many are made in recyclable materials for the 'greenies' out there. For babies soft toys are perhaps the first in the baby's life. Snuggly soft toys provide the touch sensation, one of the first the baby develops, and the baby will be more than happy to cuddle it in the cot. When the child progresses rattles made of soft materials, sometimes with a mirror attached will provide endless hours of fun. These, of course, are the more traditional toys on offer but still they are firm favourites amongst babies and parents alike.

Babies progress on an almost daily basis and a lot of soft toys provide the visual and aural stimulation to encourage the child to explore. Wobbly soft toys which make a noise when pushed or perhaps a toweling truck whose plastic wheels click when turned all add to the wonder and fun for the small child. When the child is older, more appropriate soft toys may be the rag doll type of toy. This traditional toy has progressed though. Today you may get a dog rag doll with removable clothes. Each piece of clothing will have a different style of fastening which will show the child how to manage when dressing him or herself. Snap fasteners, laces, hooks and eyes, zips etc., are all there and the child still has the advantage of a soft toy to cuddle up to in bed.

The affection for the soft toy never seems to end Indeed adults give soft toys as a token of love or affection no matter what the age of the recipient. Who wouldn't be pleased to receive a heart shaped balloon complete with soft toy and the words 'I love you' emblazoned across it? It goes without saying that this kind of traditional toy must win hands down over the electronic toys of today. I can't imagine anyone wanting to snuggle up to a remote control or look to it for comfort in the middle of a cold dark, scarey night! Or maybe I'm just one of those old fashioned, romantic souls longing for better times!

By the way - and I'm sure most of you know already but for those who don't - the 'teddy' bear was named after an American president Theodore Roosevelt. His name was shortened to Teddy and I believe he had, or one of his family had, a toy bear which they named after him. From then on all bears are affectionately called teddy.

Gary Clay is an expert on
soft toys and writes extensively on children's toys and baby toys in theUK

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