Winnicott's "Playing and Reality"

I came across many difficulties in beginning this blog. There are so many different feelings in beginning my art therapy training that I wasn't sure on where to start or even what to include as art therapy work is confidential. It made me think of future confidentiality issues, especially upon starting placement. I thought it fit to start on what I'm currently exploring at this moment in time. I have been reading so much art therapy related literature but at the moment I have delved into Winnicott's 'Playing and Reality'. Without this sounding too much of a book review I feel I will give my thoughts not only on the text but what I particularly found interesting and how I feel about learning such theories. The part of the book which evoked feelings for me personally was the chapter on transitional objects and transitional phenomena. Winnicott describes this as an object such as a blanket, teddy or dummy which has qualities to it where the child is able to gain comfort. A transitional object is something the child clings to in order to distance themselves from the neuturer of the Mother. It is a transitional stage the child must go through in order to develop. I was also intrigued with Winnicott's idea of the weaning process and if something goes wrong and this process is interrupted or doesn't work out this impacts the childs life in later years. It made me question my experiences as a baby. I found myself thinking alot about my 'transitional object' or if I even had a transitional object, did this effect me? I definitely didn't have a favourite teddy. I wasn't one of those babies who clung desperately to a certain blanket. Even in the second week of my course I am questioning my life experiences. I knew this would happen but perhaps not so soon! I am however open to interpreting literature I read and letting it impact my life. Maybe not directly but definitely in a way of consideration.