Transitional Object

A concept from developmental psychology, introduced by D. W. Winnicott, referring to a soft, often tactile object - a blanket, stuffed toy, or similar - that a child uses to support self-soothing and the transition between dependence on a caregiver and independent experience. The concept informs accessibility and serious-game design for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions, where soft, graspable, non-vulnerable materials are often preferred and have been shown to support stable tactile engagement during interactive play.