Friendship is important to us as human beings. We gravitate to other people. You might have a big group of friends. You might have one close friend. But everyone has someone. The power of a friend is unbeatable.
Because of the pandemic and social distancing, loneliness has increased dramatically. Isolation can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health concerns. For young children, this is particularly problematic. Just as we need friends, so do children. But now, they can’t interact as with their friends like they’re used to. School interaction helps children learn how to meet someone new, make a new friend and solve problems. This vital part of their lives and the foundation of their friendships has been taken away. The power of a friend has many positive effects that can’t be lost.
Friends Help Children Be Themselves
Children need friendship. It helps them develop their own identity. It reduces stress. It helps them learn valuable interpersonal skills and build social skills that help them feel less isolated. It can also be a great way for children to experience another person’s point of view, or model good behavior. Children with friends have dramatically higher self-esteem than those children who do not have friends. One of the most important things that a friend can do is help children identify their feelings and be able to learn how to express those to others.
Unfortunately, children are experiencing anxiety at unprecedented rates right now. They are confused by our new normal and now, more than ever, they need a friend. Yet, their friends are out of reach. Until they can be reunited with their buddies from school, there’s a solution – a stuffed bear that’s so much more than just another stuffed animal.
Friends Provide a Comfort Bond
Sir William the Brave Knight is a forever friend.
A friend can come in many forms. The power of a friend doesn’t have to come from another child. In fact, a lovey or a security object is often one of the first ways a child learns about caring and how to be a friend. It provides a necessary bond.
“On the surface a lovey is a transitional object that provides comfort, soothing and self-awareness to young children and babies. Deep down, a lovey is a mirror for your child’s own feelings and needs he want to understand. It’s his way of working things out, getting a handle on his emotions so he can self soothe. A lovey is so much more than an object. It’s a dear friend.” – Dr. Brown’s Blog, The Power of a Lovey
Friends Help Children Overcome
Sir William the Brave Knight is designed to help children explore their feelings of worry and fear. Having a good friend to stay with them and protect them while they sleep is the first step in learning that they can overcome challenges. They can overcome them with a friend. The connection between a child and their lovey may be the first connection they have to someone outside of their parents or siblings. It’s a great way for them to express compassion to others and to learn how to handle new situations.
When children have a friend they can count on for help, everything becomes a little less overwhelming. A security object can be an empowering way for children to work through any fears of separation and help them work through difficult transitions.
The pandemic has been a transition for all of us. We could all use a good friend in our corner right now. Sir William is that friend. Though he was created to help children sleep well at night with feelings of protection, this cuddly creature also acts as a security object that forms a bond. Your children don’t have to be around other children to understand the power of a friend. They have one snuggled in bed with them every night.
Sir William the Brave Knight is a protector. He’s a friend. He’s just what children need to help them through hard times now, and through all their new stages of life.
