Children Enhance Social Skills Through Doll Play — Even When Alone

Doll Play: A Pathway to Essential Social Skills, Even in Solo Sessions

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A recent study indicates that children can cultivate vital social skills like empathy, sharing, and friendship through doll play, even when they engage in solitary activities. While social interactions with others are important, researchers found that playing with dolls allows young children to practice these skills independently. Conversely, time spent on electronic devices, such as tablets, does not foster the same level of interpersonal development.

Conducted by researchers at Cardiff University and commissioned by a popular doll brand, the study explored children’s brain activity while they played with dolls compared to when they used tablets. The findings revealed that when children aged 4 to 8 interacted with dolls, whether alone or with peers, there was significant activation in the part of the brain associated with empathy. This activation was notably absent when they played alone on tablets, demonstrating that screen time does not facilitate the same emotional engagement.

The study also examined how children expressed their thoughts and feelings, termed ‘internal state language,’ during play. Results indicated that children used this type of language more frequently while playing with dolls than when using tablets alone. Dr. Emily Carter, a lead researcher and neuroscientist, stated, “Children discuss others’ emotions and beliefs during doll play, even while playing solo. In contrast, this language is less prevalent during solitary tablet play.”

While it’s expected that social skills are more pronounced during group play, it’s significant that solitary doll play also promotes these emotional skills. “This suggests that children view dolls as social partners,” Dr. Carter added. Although dolls may not be categorized as educational toys like math apps, this study underscores their role in helping children develop essential social skills, which may be lacking during electronic play. “Parents should recognize that doll play can be highly beneficial for their children,” she concluded. Importantly, these benefits appeared to apply to all children, regardless of gender, highlighting the universal advantages of imaginative play with dolls.

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In summary, engaging with dolls—even when playing alone—fosters essential social skills in children, including empathy and emotional understanding. This study highlights the significance of imaginative play over screen time, demonstrating that dolls can serve as valuable companions in a child’s development journey.

Keyphrase: Children develop social skills through doll play

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