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Expert Q&A:
Is it appropriate for my 2-year-old to take her stuffed animal to preschool?

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Caroline Clauss-Ehlers
Answered by Caroline Clauss-Ehlers Ph.D.
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"As a bilingual counseling psychologist and media correspondent," says Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers, "I'm interested in what helps children and families be resilient in the face of adversity and go on to live happy, productive lives. Much of my work has focused on families from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds."  

Dr. Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers (a.k.a. CC) is a nationally known counseling psychologist who trained at Teachers College, Columbia University and the NYU-Bellevue Hospital Center. She is associate professor of counseling psychology at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and Program Coordinator for the Programs in School Counseling and Counseling Psychology. She is a contributor to Ser Padres (Parents magazine in Spanish) and a regular guest commentator on Univision, appearing on programs such as Al Despertar and Despierta America. She is a former talk show host at 1380 AM in New York, New York, and columnist for Tribune Publishing's Spanish newspaper Hoy. Dr. Clauss-Ehlers's blog, Tips from the Parenting Toy Box, is featured on the Capessa Web site.  

Dr. Clauss-Ehlers is a 2004-2005 Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism with a project focused on the stigma of mental illnesses in Latino communities. She has conducted numerous presentations for print and broadcast media that include Child magazine, Eyewitness News, Redbook, the Herald News, ABC national radio, and Channel Thirteen's Women's Health Night.  

Dr. Clauss-Ehlers has published many articles and lectured internationally at venues that include the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the 27th Inter-American Congress of Psychology in Caracas, Venezuela, the Second World Mental Health Congress in London, England, the International Congress of Psychology in Berlin, Germany, and the Korea-U.S. Joint Symposium on Anti-Stigma in Seoul, Korea.

Dr. Clauss-Ehlers received her bachelor's degree from Oberlin College in Ohio and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is co-editor of the book Community Planning to Foster Resilience in Children (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004), author of the book Diversity Training for Classroom Teaching: A Manual for Students and Educators (Springer, 2006), and editor of the Encyclopedia for Cross-Cultural School Psychology (Springer, 2009). She is currently at work on a textbook on family psychology. 

Dr. Clauss-Ehlers lives in New York, New York, with her husband and their two daughters, ages 5 and 3.
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Question


Children love to have a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to sleep with, take in the car, or even cart around on the playground.

Answer


Children love to have a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to sleep with, take in the car, or even cart around on the playground. This very special "companion" is a transitional object that makes them feel secure. Transitional objects are especially coveted for occasions like nap time when the child is going to be alone in her room as she drifts to sleep—Mommy may be there for awhile, but eventually she leaves. Your daughter also wakes up on her own, so it's probably really important to have her stuffed animal as she moves from sleep to wakefulness. All of this is to say that your daughter wants her stuffed animal around when you can't be present. As your daughter internalizes you, she'll come to learn that you'll return even though she can't see you. At this time her stuffed animal will become less important.

Starting preschool is a big step for a child and her family. It is absolutely fine for you to let your daughter bring her favorite stuffed animal with her as she makes this transition. Many schools provide cubbies or little shelves for students where stuffed animals can stay until nap time. Responding to a structured classroom environment also makes children tired. The stuffed animal will help your daughter get the rest she needs after engaging in the life of the classroom.



A couple points to keep in mind. First, take precautions so your daughter doesn't lose her stuffed animal. These special comforts are irreplaceable. To avoid a potentially upsetting loss, identify a place in the classroom (like the cubby) where the stuffed animal can stay until needed. The second point concerns what your daughter will learn from her peers. If she notices that other children don't bring their stuffed animals along for nap time, your daughter may eventually decide that hers can stay at home, eagerly awaiting her return.



Finally, even adults do things to feel secure. We have rituals, special mementos, and superstitions that are designed to help us during times of transition. Your daughter having her stuffed animal with her only means that two are going to preschool instead of one.

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