Lizbeth Vizcarrondo

ENG 170 – Writing & Rhetoric

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

January 7th, 2024

Stuffed Animals

An artifact that represents childhood can range from various physical objects. The article called “H-Net network on popular, American and world cultures”, references 25 artifacts that is said to be most introduced to a child in their early ages of life. A few being play doh, American girl dolls, Barbie and ken, and many more. Amongst all of these, stuffed animals seem to be the most effective in the development of someone’s childhood. Stuffed animals, apart from so many other benefits, encourage a child’s social emotional skills, promote a sense of security, and stimulate imagination and creativity. A stuffed animal is known for its physical appearance. They are soft, typically come in various colors, can vary in size, and sometimes can even carry a scent like the ones you build at Build-A-Bear. These lifeless yet life-fulfilling objects are designed to attract the attention of young children. Stuffed animals are a generally shared object among young adults and even experienced older adults; therefore, their age is not usually targeted. However, the development that occurs from owning a stuffed animal since infancy is beneficial. The production of a stuffed animal was built for the purpose of being easy to transport (carry around), producing emotional support, and building a sense of imagination and creativity. In a Budsies blog article called “Educational Benefits of Stuffed Animals for Children”, the use of stuffed animals allows parents to teach their kids how to deal with empathy, reasoning, and kindness. An example they use is intentionally making fake scenarios where one stuffed animal is being bullied by the rest and allowing your child to deal with it however they see fit. “Kids also love to imitate adults in everything they do. In this pursuit, they become their stuffed animal’s caregiver” (Budsies, 2023). Children tend to mirror the actions of their peers. Because of this, their parents should always want to act in such a way that they would want their kids to also act in the present as well as their future. According to the article ADADA Paris, stuffed animals are said to promote a sense of security within a child. “Holding a stuffed animal close can help relieve anxiety, fear, and uncertainty” (ADADA, 2023). This situation portrays pathos. An interaction between a child and his/her stuffed animal allows them to express and understand their own emotions as well as understanding the emotions of others. The stimulation of imagination and creativity can also come from the comfort of a stuffed animal. Budsies Blog states, “children are usually not bothered by the appearance of these toys and give them roles based on the game they are playing”. They go on with using examples such as the child assuming the role of a teacher while the stuffed animals are the students. Other instances of this would be when the child gives the stuffed animal the role of a princess, fairy, doctor, etc. In conclusion, stuffed animals are an important aspect in the development of a child’s life. They adapt to their emotions, build a sense of security within themselves, and enhance their imagination/creativity. Stuffed animals are beneficial to a child’s upbringing and are proven to be a great investment to promote a healthy environment for your infants.

Work Cited

“American Childhood in 25 Artifacts.” H, networks.h-net.org. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024. Mesnage, Quentin. “10 Reasons to Give a Stuffed Animal to a Child.” ADADA, ADADA, 6 Apr. 2023, adadastore.com/blogs/news/10-reasons-to-give-a-stuffed-animal-to-a-child Niki Solomon, Budsies Marketing Communications Specialist and mommy of one. “Educational Benefits of Stuffed Animals for Children.” Budsies Custom Gifts Blog, 24 Apr. 2023