Boost Imagination & Social Skills: Children Thrive with Dolls, Study Finds
New UK research reveals playing with dolls helps children develop more sophisticated imagination and social skills compared to video games.
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Cardiff University and King's College London has uncovered the remarkable benefits of children playing with dolls. The findings stand in stark contrast to the common perception that digital devices and video games are superior for child development.
The study compared children given dolls to those given tablet devices loaded with video games. The results were clear: children who played with dolls demonstrated a richer appreciation of others' beliefs and feelings, as well as more sophisticated imaginations.
According to the psychologists, this hands-on, imaginative play with dolls helps young minds develop crucial social and emotional skills. By roleplaying and creating narratives with dolls, children learn to consider different perspectives and empathize with others - skills that are essential for healthy social development.
In contrast, the children who spent their time playing video games on tablets did not exhibit the same level of social and emotional growth. While digital devices offer entertainment, the study suggests they may lack the deeper developmental benefits of traditional imaginative play.
Source: The Guardian
