Is your toddler obsessed with buckles? Find out why.
Kids love to obsess over things. For older kids its things like dinosaurs, trains, balls, princesses…while for younger toddlers its usually stuff we DON’T want them playing with…stuff like zips, laces, doors, remote controls, plugs and electrical cords.
In our home its buckles. My toddler is absolutely obsessed with the buckles on her feeding chair. Even when she’s surrounded by all her favorite toys she still prefers fiddling around with the buckle straps. And if you’re reading this, you probably have a buckle obsessed toddler on your hands too.
Psychologists refer to these obsessions as “childhood intense interests”.
Toddlers and preschoolers have one-track minds for a few reasons. One is that they’re seeking routine and security during a time when they’re experiencing a lot of changes, such as giving up second naps, moving to a big-kid bed, or starting preschool. Fixating on one thing brings comfort and gives them a sense of control in their ever-changing world.
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Why is your toddler obsessed with buckles?
Toddlers are little scientists who love learning about cause and effect. Buckles play a big part in your toddler’s life and are a perfect example of what cause and effect looks like. Toddlers learn that one part of the buckle connects with the other with a satisfactory click sound. This is a discovery for them which they want to experience again and again.
Toddler Obsessed With Buckles – 3 Fascinating Reasons
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1. Buckles are a perfect example of cause and effect
Buckles are simple machines with two parts that can be connected. Toddlers find them fascinating because they demonstrate cause and effect – when you take one part and put it into the other they connect together.
The toddler stage of development is all about observing cause and effect. It’s how their brain learns that doing a certain action causes something else to happen.
“As a toddler’s understanding of cause and effect develops, he’ll become much more interested in winding up toys and turning lights and appliances on and off.” (American Academy of Peadiatrics). This interest extends to buckles and even buttons and wheels.
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2. Toddlers love the auditory click of buckles
Buckles make a satisfying click sound when pushed together. Once toddlers realize they made that sound they want to try doing it again and again.
According to Professor David Elkind who wrote for the More website, kids need sound ” to stimulate and nourish the auditory centers of the brain”.
Thus the satisfying click sound along with the ability to observe cause and effect and master a skill makes buckles an object of real interest to your curious little toddler.
3. Buckles play a big role in a toddler’s life
Just think about it. How many times have you buckled and unbuckled your child into their car seat, stroller and feeding chair? Hundreds of times so far most probably.
And so it really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that toddlers find buckles so fascinating. They are after all, a big part of your child’s daily life.
When can kids do a buckle?
Being able to buckle requires multiple skills. Fine motor skills, sensory processing skills and visual perception skills are some of the skills a child needs to successfully buckle themselves. Each child develops at his own pace and masters each skill at a different age.
What are buckle toys?
A toddler’s fascination with buckles has lead to the development of an entire line of toys based on buckles. Many toddler parents find that these are particularly great for travelling because they tend to keep toddlers occupied for a much longer time than regular toys.
But playing with child friendly buckles doesn’t just keep toddlers busy. It also helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and color recognition.
Some of these buckle toys also come with zips and shoe laces. These help toddlers develop fine motor skills and also get a chance to learn basic life skills like zipping up their own jacket or tying up their shoes.
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