Dolls for Everyone!
Doll Play Fosters Essential Social Skills, Even During Solo Play
A recent study reveals that children can cultivate vital social skills like empathy, sharing, listening, and friendship while playing alone with dolls. Interestingly, the research indicates that kids do not develop these interpersonal abilities when engaged with electronic tablets.
Conducted by researchers at Cardiff University, the study explored the brain activity of children aged 4 to 8 while they interacted with dolls versus tablets. Findings showed that playing with dolls—whether alone or with others—activated brain regions associated with empathy. In contrast, when the children played on tablets, only interactions with peers triggered this empathetic brain activity.
The researchers assessed how often children used ‘internal state language,’ referring to expressions of thoughts and feelings during play. They discovered that kids expressed this type of language more frequently while playing with dolls than when alone with tablets. “Children discuss the emotions, thoughts, and beliefs of others while playing with dolls, even in solitary play,” stated Dr. Jamie Thompson, a senior lecturer and neuroscientist involved in the study. “Conversely, their use of this internal state language diminished during solo tablet play.”
While it’s expected that children exhibit empathy and social skills more in group settings, it’s noteworthy that they engage these skills even when alone with dolls. “This suggests that children consider dolls as social companions,” Thompson added. Although dolls may not be educational tools like math apps, this research highlights the importance of imaginative play with dolls in developing essential skills that may not emerge during electronic device use. “Parents should recognize that doll play can significantly benefit their children,” Thompson advised. Importantly, these findings are applicable to both girls and boys, indicating that all children can gain from imaginative engagement with dolls.
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In summary, children can develop important social skills through solitary play with dolls, engaging in empathetic interactions that are less present during tablet use. This highlights the value of traditional play in fostering interpersonal abilities in young minds.
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