Talking’ Bout Teddies

From age 2 to 102, we are keen to hear how your teddy has mattered in your life.

It’s easy to think that teddies are just a cute mass of brown fur, big eyes and silent stuffing. But it turns out they are so much more. The way they feel - the way they smell - the way they squash! All of these are sensory sensations that calm a child’s biological stress systems. That’s why there can be a major panic in a family when a teddy goes missing.

Of course, it isn’t just teddies that have this power to make a child feel reassured. It might be a blankey, a bunny or an old scarf of Mum’s. The form doesn’t matter. The feeling of safety does.

We have been talking to people of all ages across Dundee about their teddies and other special friends.  Dr Suzanne Zeedyk and her team at connected baby have captured these experiences on film and are currently busy putting together the final versions.

These stories will help our city to think more deeply about the power of teddies, the lasting impact of children's stress and the importance of relationships in human lives.

Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far - watch this space for what happens next!

Engaging Libraries is a programme for public libraries across the UK and Ireland that want to pilot creative and imaginative public engagement projects on health and wellbeing. It is jointly funded by Carnegie UK Trust and the Wellcome Trust.

Dundee Libraries is delighted to have been selected as one of 14 successful bids to the programme

https://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/project/engaging-libraries/

Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk is a research scientist fascinated by babies’ innate capacity to connect. In 2014, Suzanne broadened her public reach by founding the organization connected baby.  She and her team work to help parents and professionals make practical use of the science of connection.  Relationships matter – as much for human brains as for human hearts.