Plush Toy Guide
Boost Emotional Learning Through Story and Play
Simple, playful ways to bring the Team Supercrew plush toys into story time and everyday play.
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Plush Toys During Story Time
This playful interaction enhances comprehension and makes story time feel like a team effort.
Build Social Skills
Take turns with the plush toy during story time! Let the toy “help” by turning the pages or sitting quietly as a great listener. This small act can model patience and sharing, valuable social skills for your child.
Make the Plush Toy a Reading Buddy
Let the plush toy actively “listen” to the story alongside your child. After reading, pretend the toy has questions about the book, like:
Offer Comfort with the Plush Toy
If the story has moments of fear, sadness, or anger, encourage your child to hold their plush toy for comfort. They can squeeze it tight or talk to it, practicing ways to manage big emotions while staying engaged with the story.
Add a Surprise Twist
Hide the plush toy behind your back and bring it out when their character is mentioned in the book! For example:
Let your child hold the toy, act out scenes, or even “fly” it around to bring the story to life.
Retell the Story with Plush Toys
After the book, use the plush toys to recreate the story. Some toys can play superheroes, while others take on the roles of children in the book. Retelling builds comprehension and gives your child a chance to express their creativity.
Compare Characters with a New Plush Toy
Bring a different plush toy to story time than the one featured in the book. Pause during reading and ask:
Keisha the Kind
Chloe the Calm
Benny the Brave
Gen the GritThis activity helps your child think critically about the characters and their traits.
By weaving plush toys into story time, you turn reading into a dynamic, interactive experience. You’ll help your child build social skills, deepen their understanding of the story, and strengthen their emotional connections, all while having fun together.
Using Plush Toys to Support Emotional Regulation Skills
Team Supercrew plush toys are more than just fun. They’re powerful tools to support your child’s emotional growth. Paired with the Team Supercrew books, they bring a whole new level of depth and engagement to learning about emotions.
Excited to get started?
Naming Emotions
Bring the Team Supercrew plush to playtime next time you and your child are playing blocks, cars, kitchen, or just about anything. During playtime, emotions naturally emerge: frustration when the block tower falls, excitement when the car goes fast, or boredom while waiting for a turn. Use these moments to name and explore emotions together.
Keisha plush might say, “I’m feeling frustrated because my blocks keep falling. Let me take a deep breath (deep breath). I’ll try again. Will you help me? Thanks, that was so kind of you!”
- Focus on both pleasant and unpleasant emotions.
- Use silly voices for the plush toys and stay fully present in the play.
Go beyond naming emotions by helping your child understand, regulate, and problem-solve them.
For example, you might ask Keisha, “Why do you think you’re feeling this way?” or “What can we do to feel better?”
Social Skills Practice
Turn the plush toys into playful companions for learning early social skills. During activities like coloring or puzzles, the plush toys can model introducing themselves, sharing, taking turns, and more.
- Saying hello
- Asking to join play
- Waiting their turn
- Sharing toys
- Asking and answering questions
Have the plush toy introduce itself: “Hi, I’m Benny! Can I play with you?” Then praise your child when they practice social skills: “That was so kind of you to share your toy with Benny!”
Gradually expand from adult-led play to interactions with peers, building confidence in group settings.
Brave Adventures with Benny
Help your child tackle scary situations with Benny the Brave Plush Toy. Pretend Benny is modeling bravery as he faces challenges, such as walking into a dark room or meeting new people.
“Wow, Benny is feeling nervous, but he’s going to try anyway because he’s brave! Look, he did it! Now it’s your turn, and Benny will cheer you on!”
- Turning on a light in a dark room
- Meeting a new babysitter
- Trying a new sport
- Speaking on stage
Create Calm Spaces with Chloe
Design a calm area for Chloe the Calm Plush Toy with your child. Use a cardboard box as her “bedroom” and fill it with calming items like a blanket, pillow, or a favorite stuffed animal.
Incorporate these calming strategies into your child’s routine. Try using senses like:
- Sight: Low lighting or nightlights
- Sound: Soothing music or a sound machine
- Smell: Lavender spray or calming scents
- Touch: Soft textures or gentle massages
Kindness Missions with Keisha
Use Keisha the Kind Plush Toy to practice acts of kindness at home! Keisha can go on “missions” to do something kind for each family member.
“What could Keisha do for you today? Would you like a hug or some help cleaning up? Now it’s your turn to take Keisha on her next mission!”
This activity helps you learn how your child likes to receive kindness, whether it’s quality time, compliments, or small acts of service.
Grit Interviews with Gen
Let Gen the Grit Plush Toy interview family members about times they worked hard to accomplish something. Your child can help ask questions and learn about grit in action.
“Gen wants to know, what’s something hard you did? How did you keep going? Wow, that must have been tough, but you showed so much determination!”
Focus on the effort and emotions involved, not just the outcome.
