Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Why children love their security blankets
Every parent of a young child knows how emotionally attached children can become to a soft toy or blanket that they sleep with every night. New research, published today in the international journal Cognition, suggests that this might be because children think the toy or blanket has a unique property or ‘essence’.
To support this theory, Professor Bruce Hood from the University of Bristol and his colleague Dr Paul Bloom of Yale University, USA, showed that 3-6 year-old children have a preference for their cherished items over apparently identical duplicates.
Children were introduced to a scientific looking machine that could copy any object but was in fact a conjurer’s cabinet where an accomplice inserted replica items from behind a screen.
Professor Hood said: “When offered the choice of originals and copies, children showed no preference for duplicates of their toys unless the object to be copied was the special one that they took to bed every night. A quarter of children refused to have their favourite object copied at all, and most of those who were persuaded to put their toy in the copying machine wanted the original back.”
It used to be thought that these attachment toys or transitional objects were comfort items that provided a sense of security for infants raised in households where they slept separately from the mother.
However, the results with the copy box studies suggest that in addition to these physical properties of the toy, children believe that there is some other property of their objects that cannot be physically copied.
This unique property also applied to objects belonging to famous people. Hood and Bloom placed a metal goblet in the copying machine and told 6-year-olds that the object was special either because it was made of a precious metal or because it once belonged to the Queen.When shown the original and a copy, children thought the duplicate silver goblet was worth the same as the original, but a goblet that once belonged to royalty was worth more than any copy.
Hood and Bloom liken this early reasoning to adult notions of ‘essences’ where we think invisible properties inhabit objects that make them unique as if these properties were physically real. This may explain why some adults think that authentic works of art and memorabilia contain some of the essence of the original creator or owner. Likewise, it also partly explains our reluctance to touch or wear items previously owned by murderers.
By Science Daily
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Sunday, September 02, 2012
Alpaca Wool Collection
Alpaca is a rare specialty fiber.
It is stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down, and breathes better than thermal knits.
It is naturally hypoallergenic, snuggly soft, and cozy warm. Alpaca washes easily and packs well. It will not pill or wrinkle and holds up for many years of comfortable wear.
Alpaca is the fiber traditionally reserved for Inca nobility - Inca emperors rewarded nobles with gifts of soft alpaca fabric made by expert artisans.
According to ancient Incan legend, alpacas were loaned to humans on Mt. Ausangate in Peru, left on earth as long as they were treated well and respected.
Alpaca at a Glance
- Lighter and warmer than wool
- Luxuriously soft to the touch with a silky sheen
- Comfortable and versatile to wear
- Grows naturally in dozens of beautiful shades
- Hypoallergenic
- Alpaca fiber use promotes sustainable agriculture in the Andes
Click here to see our Alpaca Wool Collection
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Saturday, September 01, 2012
Gisele's newborn baby, ben, has his own Angel Dear tiger blankie! View photos here and get your own tiger blankie here.
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Introducing: Petit Lem
A quality brand of children's clothing with an emphasis on comfort, the Petit Lem Signature collection is modern, colourful, and European-inspired.
The Petit Lem Signature team is dedicated to producing eco-friendly clothing from soft, cozy fabrics to enhance a child's active lifestyle. Designed with great attention to detail and easy maintenance, our collection features a variety of daywear and sleepwear styles that make it easy to dress your children from newborn to pre-teen.
Petit Lem Signature products come from a vivid imagination and a passion for fashion. For us, comfort and style are always synonymous with quality, and we are pleased to be part of your children's daily life.
Click here to see Petit Lem Signature at My Child Clothing
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