Doll Play Enhances Children's Imagination and Social Skills, Study Shows
A recent study from psychologists at Cardiff University and King's College London has found that playing with dolls can significantly boost children's imagination and social skills compared to using electronic devices like tablets. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Plos One, involved 73 children aged four to eight in a randomized-control trial over six weeks.
Key Findings on Doll Play vs. Digital Devices
The study compared children given dolls with those provided tablets loaded with video games. Results indicated that doll play led to a richer appreciation of others' beliefs and feelings, known as false-belief reasoning. This skill is crucial for understanding that people may have different thoughts or emotions from reality.
Dr. Sarah Gerson, the lead author and a reader in psychology at Cardiff University, explained, "Doll play may encourage children to engage in social interactions more and give them opportunities to rehearse or reflect on others' beliefs, emotions, or intentions." She added that role-playing with dolls fosters imagination and allows children to practice social skills in a safe environment.
Parental Observations and Social Interactions
Parents reported that children with dolls were more likely to play with friends or family, while those using tablets tended to play alone. The study noted no differences in benefits between boys and girls, emphasizing that doll play is universally advantageous for social development.
The research was funded by the US toymaker Mattel, which provided materials including Ken and Barbie dolls. A spokesperson for Cardiff University stated that the study maintained scientific integrity through independent data collection and analysis, using a diverse range of dolls to encourage free play without prescribed roles.
Context and Implications for Child Development
This study emerges amid growing controversy over the damaging effects of digital device access for children. Recent research found that nine-month-old babies in England average 41 minutes of daily screen time. The Cardiff study's findings suggest that traditional toys like dolls could offer a healthier alternative for fostering social and emotional growth.
Dr. Gerson highlighted that false-belief reasoning is a vital cornerstone in theory of mind and childhood social development, with improvements particularly notable in children who had more peer problems. The researchers concluded that the type of toy assigned likely caused the enhancements in social skills, providing causal evidence for the benefits of doll play.
