Big Teddy bears are one of the most common forms of toys that children have. They are also something that children play with throughout their lives, regardless of age. Kids love to cuddle with their giant teddy bears, pretend they are real or just drag them around by one arm. But where did this toy originate from? What is its history? That's exactly what we'll be looking at today!
The Idea!
The idea was first invented back in 1902 by a certain Morris Michtom and his wife Rose after President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt refused to go hunting and refused to shoot an orphaned black bear cub during a bear hunting trip he had taken. The Michtoms decided to create a "teddy" as a toy for kids based on the name and appearance of this bear cub. They made them out of soft fur and filled it with sawdust or excelsior - a wood shaving mixture. After their success, they opened up a 'Teddy Bear Factory' in Brooklyn where they massaged quickly gaining popularity all over America.
After some time, Morris Michtom's company merged with Margarete Steiff Gmbh which is still to this day one of the biggest teddy bear companies around. After that, he had thousands of licensees all over the world who were looking to make their own version of his popular toy. But what has happened since?
The idea and design remain mostly unchanged even after more than 100 years! Teddy bears are still very much popular today and you'll find them everywhere. At least one toy company manufactures and sells teddy bears.
The benefits of having a teddy bear at home
1) A playmate to your child
When you bring a giant teddy bear into your family, it will become the toy that your children will not allow anyone else to touch, they treat their teddy as if it's their best friend (which is only right). It is also good for them to have someone who shares their secrets with and encourage them when they don't feel like doing something.
2) Helps your children sleep better
Your children will start to embrace the idea of having another being around which means it will help them to be more comfortable and confident in their own room. It can also help your children feel less lonely as they will think that the teddy bear is someone who is always there for them.
3) Encourages creativity
Your child's imagination will start to flourish as time progress. They become so involved with the bear that they will start playing games such as taking it to 'the park' or having midnight snacks with their new friend and this encourages them to come up with many ideas and thoughts of what to do next. This also expands into a drawing where your children can create a storyboard revolving around their giant teddy bear and write about any adventures they went through together which could give you an insight into how creative your child is.
4) Improves hand/eye coordination
Teddy presents an opportunity for you and your child to work and improve many areas of their physical development such as: -hand/eye coordination. By having to take care of your bear, makes it so much easier when you go out into the real world and have to do simple tasks such as taking care of your possessions, holding onto handrails on the stairs and carrying bags.
To Sum Up
In addition, when children are playing with their Life Size teddy bears they will often improvise and make up new games for themselves where they may take the role of a different character in the story to be involved in whatever is happening in the play. This can also teach them how to make friends with other children too as it encourages them to share and cooperate which is vital for later life skills.
