Vom Spiel zur Kreativität

D. W. Winnicott has summarized all his insights on the topic of "transitional object" in this book. This refers to that often inconspicuous toy of the toddler that helps ease the transition from waking to sleeping; it can be a teddy bear or even a corner of a pillow. The transitional object is the connection between the child's inner and outer world. Engaging with it is the precursor to play, and play, in turn, is the first step towards the development of what is called creativity. Thus, the cultural, creative, and inventive abilities of humans are ultimately closely linked to that small fetish-like object from their childhood.