Developmental psychologists refer to them as attachment or transition objects, Margaret S. Clark, a professor of psychology at Yale University, explained to me, because they can provide comfort and reassurance to children transitioning from greater to lesser dependence on primary caretakers.
"They calm children's transition from home to school at times," she said.
Use of transition objects is common around the ages of 2 or 3 years old, and they gradually lose appeal without much intervention, Clark noted. As children get older, they may keep objects around but not carry them everywhere. Blankets are the most common objects, she added, but stuffed animals are also a popular choice.
