Do you have a prized stuffed animal from your childhood? Is it still in your apartment? If so, you’re not alone. 60% of small children have Teddies and other comfort objects, and up to 35% of adults!

Conventional wisdom from the 1970s suggested kids depending on comfort objects somehow lacked secure attachment to their mothers, and that this dependence would threaten their proper development into well-adjusted adults.

However, not too long ago, studies began to show that comfort objects don’t threaten children’s mental health, and may indeed be developmentally advantageous. Children with comfort objects are less shy and more focused than those without them. This is probably because with their presence, children feel braver and less stressed in unfamiliar situations.

Even newer research shows only when a toy is his or her comfort object do children anthropomorphize it. That is, children don’t really mistakenly believe that all objects around them have inside lives. Having an emotional attachment to the comfort object causes children to think of it as a human-like friend, who they can practice telling stories to and share joy and sorrow with. Sometimes they even think from the perspective of this unnatural friend.

Comfort objects are not just soft things for children to grab when they feel sad or lonely. They mean something special to them. So, far from being “wacky toddler (学步儿童) behavior”, choosing a comfort object and treating it as a sacred part of daily rituals is actually extremely sophisticated behavior on the part of small children. If you have a comfort animal, or meet a kid who has one, let the cuddles (拥抱) begin.

【小题1】What do the numbers in Paragraph 1 suggest?

A．It’s abnormal for adults to own Teddies.

B．It’s OK for kids to have comfort objects.

C．Kids can get more attached to their toys.

D．Having comfort objects is actually common.

【小题2】What did people in the 1970s think of kids depending on comfort objects?

A．They might be a threat after growing up.

B．They might have developmental problems.

C．They could hardly grow into healthy adults.

D．They could get too attached to their mothers.

【小题3】Which of the following statement is true according to the text?

A．Stuffed toys are intended for wacky toddlers.

B．Comfort objects boost innovation in children.

C．Children believe all stuffed animals have souls.

D．Comfort objects are mentally beneficial to kids.

【小题4】What is the author’s attitude towards comfort objects?

A．Favorable.

B．Unconcerned.

C．Doubtful.

D．Critical.