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Theme and variation in the development of the first transitional object
Insights
Infants
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Transitional objects, such as blankets, play a significant role in early childhood development.
- Understanding the typical timeline and variations in a child's attachment to these objects is crucial for developmental assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the phenomenon of the 'first transitional object' and its developmental trajectory.
- To explore the dimensions of a child's varying use of the first transitional object.
- To examine factors influencing the establishment and relinquishing of attachment to transitional objects.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of infants and young children.
- Longitudinal tracking of attachment to the first transitional object (e.g., blanket).
- Analysis of developmental context and influencing variables.
Main Results:
- Initial contact with the first transitional object often occurs around three months of age.
- Attachment intensity typically solidifies by age two.
- Most children relinquish their first transitional object between five and six years of age.
Conclusions:
- The first transitional object follows a discernible developmental pattern with critical periods for contact and attachment establishment.
- Variations in this pattern can occur, and understanding these is important for developmental context.
- Further research is needed to explore other variables affecting the transitional object's fate.
Abstract:
In our research we have been attempting to elucidate the phenomenon we have labelled the 'first transitional object'. In this paper we have focused primarily on some dimensions along which the child can vary in his use of the first transitional object. We have pointed to the fact that some infants first come in contact with the 'blanket' at the age of three months, and this seems to be a critical time period for regular contact with the first transitional object. While there are variations in the child's attachment to the first transitional object from the very beginning, age two appears to be a crucial time when the intensity of the child's attachment to the 'blanket' becomes established. Most children seem to give up the first transitional object between five and six years of age, and an example of the disruption of this process was presented. An attempt was made to put these findings within a developmental context, while other variables which affect the fate of the first transitional object were also explored.