Why Should Kids Play With Baby Dolls?
While dolls aren’t necessarily part of any formal curriculum, experts agree they offer a host of developmental benefits for young children.
“I bought baby dolls for both of my sons and daughter,” Dr. Tamis-LeMonda says. “It gives children the opportunity to be empathic, emotional, and show caring and attention toward others.”
Along with social-emotional benefits, playing with dolls can also promote skills that help prepare a child for preschool. Learn more about what children gain from this sweet, fun form of imaginative play.
Communication Skills
While dolls don’t tend to be big talkers, this doesn’t stop children from conversing with them. “Children get a lot of language practice through talking to their dolls,” Dr. White says. “If they feel unsure or scared to say something, they may say it to their doll.”
Dolls can also facilitate peer-to-peer social skills. “As children approach preschool age, you’ll see a child pretending to take their baby to the doctor or school and having rich conversations with other children about these scenarios,” DeLapp notes.
Doll friends likewise provide an opportunity for children to learn words for feelings that can be unseen or covert, like hunger, sleepiness, or sadness. “Different kinds of play support different kinds of language learning,” Dr. Tamis-LeMonda explains.
Doll play can also help a child express themselves. “If a child is feeling shy, you can ask about the baby, which can be a great way to facilitate back and forth communication,” says Dr. White. Since role-playing is a form of projection, you should lend an ear should your child tell you their doll is sad or scared.