Transition object

Transition object is an object such as a smelly pillow, napkin, smelly teddy, pacifier etc used by a child to bring him/her comfort. I learnt about this during an Art Therapy workshop organised by NASOM and then I reflected it on Maximus's habit of wanting to hold his napkin or a peg when he was being tucked to sleep especially without giving him the breast to suckle on.

During the newborn period, the baby lives in an illusion world when he feels that he is in control over it. However during the later months, he begins to realise that he is no longer in control and there will be a seperation period with his parents or carer. From his illusion world he has moved into the disillusion and will make him feel unsafe. Therefore the gap/space between his illusion world and his disillusion world will be replaced by his transition object to make him feel safe and back to his own illusion world.

This is very true because when Maximus wanted to fall asleep usually without mummy around, he will want to hold on to his napkin and his peg (especially when during nap time since he is sleeping in his sarung). I like watching him holding to his transition objects when he wants to fall asleep. His little fingers will nibble the napkin and another grasping to the peg. Slowly and surely yet feeling safe he will close his little eyes to sleep.

Wheter or not in his illusion or disillusion world, I will always make sure that Maximus will be safe and feel secure. Although he has moved into his toddler stage now, he is still very vulnerable and need a sense of security. And this will not stop here... it will be through out the period until he grows up to be more independent.