Playing with dolls–soft cuddly ones, plastic bendables, and even action figures–encourages children’s learning, especially social development. Social and emotional skills are very important for readiness for kindergarten. At first, dolls are a form of sensory stimulation as kids reach for them and explore the different textures and sometimes, the sounds. Dolls also encourage wee ones to develop reaching and holding skills. Soon, dolls appeal to babies as comfort objects. Then, between the ages of one and two, wee ones begin to explore imaginary play.
As kids–both girls and boys–play and pretend with dolls, they begin to explore caring and sharing. They feed and dress their dolls, wrap them in blankets or even dishtowels, and throw them around. Kids also talk to their dolls, often being the voice of the doll too, and practice using language.
As parents and caregivers just as we would allow girls to play with trucks and trains, we also need to allow boys to play with dolls. Here is a short video from a parent at Ask dot Com as she talks about letting her son have a doll, too: Should-Boys-Play-With-Dolls-.htm
or copy & paste: https://video.about.com/babyparenting/Should-Boys-Play-With-Dolls-.htm
The imaginary play with dolls is part of both children’s natural development and kindergarten readiness, creating brain connections and complex thinking skills. What kind of doll does your child like to play with?