SAEDNEWS: Playing with dolls is one of the oldest and most nostalgic childhood activities—one that knows no age or gender. In this article, we explore the benefits of doll play for children.
Play is a means of expressing emotions, exploring relationships, and satisfying personal needs. Through doll play, children express their feelings, frustrations, anxieties, and fears. Children—especially girls—often assume the role of mother for their dolls from an early age. This behavior begins very early, with dolls, as symbols of babies, almost always being used by girls. Sometimes, mothers even make dolls for their children, perhaps indicating a desire to teach their daughters motherhood as soon as possible.
In fact, children replicate the behavior their mothers show them with their dolls. If a mother shows affection, the child mirrors this love toward their doll “child.” Conversely, if parents are harsh or occasionally punish the child physically, the child tends to react in the same manner. Often, when children fight with or hit their dolls, they are imitating the behavior of their mother during disciplinary moments.
The role of dolls in child development is significant and should not be underestimated. From ancient times, once humans discovered that various materials around them could be shaped according to their will, one of their first creations was dolls. Back then, it was believed that if something resembled a human, it had a spirit and was considered a living being. Over time, dolls gradually took on more defined forms, and in some parts of the world, they were even worshiped. As human societies advanced, people realized that dolls were merely human-made objects. From then on, dolls became recognized as one of the best and most beloved toys for children.
Dolls come in various shapes, materials, and colors, allowing parents to choose one according to a child’s preferences. Dolls have such a strong impact on children that some regard them as children or friends. This profound influence can be used to enhance child-rearing practices.
1. Developing Speech Skills
Doll play encourages children to interact with an imaginary character, which helps them use a variety of words and sentences to communicate, ultimately strengthening their speech skills. Parents often start doll play by teaching children the names of body parts such as eyes, nose, ears, hands, fingers, and feet, providing practice and generalization opportunities.
Parents can also use doll clothing to teach the names of garments such as shirts, pants, and hats. Modern dolls often perform actions or produce sounds, aiding in teaching verbs and emotions such as eating, drinking, hunger, and thirst.
While playing, parents can ask children questions to reinforce understanding of these words. Children may point to the doll’s body parts or clothing or answer whether the doll is hungry, sleepy, or needs a bath. Dolls can be excellent tools for developing children’s social skills.
2. Promoting Independence
The impact of toys on a child’s future is particularly notable through doll play. A toddler who recently began walking may not need constant assistance, but this newfound freedom can also be frightening. Playing with dolls may reduce the child’s feelings of vulnerability.
Encourage toddlers to play alone with their dolls or stuffed animals for 10–15 minutes, once or twice daily, to boost self-confidence and reduce dependence on adults. Children can also be guided to teach their doll other tasks such as dressing or setting the table.
3. Developing Emotional Skills
Playing with dolls helps children understand their world and the environment around them. They practice nurturing and caregiving, often imitating the actions of their parents. If a new sibling is expected, this type of play prepares children for interaction and care of the newborn.
These skills are essential for emotional development, regardless of gender. By carrying, holding, and feeding a baby doll, children learn how to love and care for others. Doll play also allows children to reenact real-life events, taking on opposing roles and experimenting with parental or caregiver roles. This enhances emotional regulation and allows children to express disagreements safely.
4. Understanding Responsibility
Through early social skills, children learn responsibility. Caring for a doll can teach them to take care of pets or understand and assist older siblings.
5. Developing Cognitive and Motor Skills
Doll play enhances cognitive and motor development. Around ages two to three, children act as if their dolls can communicate, feeding and putting them to sleep. Dressing dolls provides practice in fine motor skills and sequential thinking.
Another skill developed is using both hands for handling objects, typically emerging around 18 months. Pretend feeding improves self-feeding skills, as children practice using spoons, bottles, and bowls. Doll play also allows practice of hygiene skills such as brushing teeth, hair care, handwashing, and bathing—even when water is unavailable, imaginative play reduces fear of water.
6. Encouraging Imagination
Children often create doll scenarios based on real-life experiences but modify them with imagination, forming new stories. They enjoy imagining characters they like and playing roles they are passionate about, fostering creativity and imaginative thinking.
Yes. Children’s doll play often mirrors parental behavior. If parents are harsh or abusive, children replicate these actions with their dolls. Even how children speak to dolls reflects parental speech. Excessive focus on a doll’s private areas may indicate abuse, warranting careful assessment and professional support from psychologists or psychiatrists.
Parents can participate in doll play, using another doll to provide indirect guidance. Children use dolls to express emotions, reenacting behaviors they have observed, including aggression. Parents can narrate stories through dolls to teach appropriate emotional responses, providing indirect yet effective guidance.
Dolls are attentive listeners—they never tire, yawn, become bored, close their eyes, or correct mistakes. They are always available, compensating for loneliness and offering a safe outlet for emotions. Listening to children’s conversations with dolls provides insight into their thoughts and feelings. Caring for a doll fosters confidence, enhances leisure time, develops verbal and motor skills, and promotes creativity.
Dolls are not merely decorative—they are vital tools for exchanging feelings, affection, and thought in children.
