Dear Miriam: I CAN'T BEAR SON'S TEDDY TANTRUMS.

Byline: Dr MIRIAM STOPPARD 

Dear Miriam MY little boy is so devoted to his teddy, I don't think it's healthy. He recently became hysterical and refused to leave the house because I couldn't find it. His teddy is starting to rule our lives. What can I do?

YOUR little boy is emotionally attached to his teddy because he thinks it's unique and I'm on his side.

In a study at Bristol University, three to six year olds were asked if they would exchange their toys for duplicates made in a "copying machine". In fact, the machine was a conjuror's cabinet and the duplicates the children were shown were the original toys.

With any old toy, most times the children opted for the new one. But when it came to that special teddy or blanket they took to bed each night, they wanted the original.

A quarter of the children refused to have their favourite security object copied at all, and most of those willing to put their precious item in the copying machine wanted the original back. All I would suggest is that you get him used to a few alternatives should you lose the precious one.

CAPTION(S):

SO ATTACHED: To his toy