Developmental Skills While Playing With Dolls

Playing is a child’s primary job, and a beneficial one at that.  Through play, children develop fine and gross motor skills, practice language and develop new vocabulary, and begin to understand new learning concepts. 

Below is a sample of all that is involved and developing when your child plays with dolls.

 Cognition

•      Develops imaginative play skills as your child cares for her doll.
•     Teaches different emotions and relationships as child role plays.

 Fine Motor Skills

•     Practices using feeding utensils while pretending to feed her doll with a spoon.
•     Practices self-care skills by dressing and grooming dolls.

 Gross Motor Skills

•    Practices dynamic balance skills by placing a baby in a crib and rocking a baby in a chair or while standing.
•    Develops coordination skills needed for walking when pushing a doll stroller while also providing them with support balance.

 Speech and Language

•    Builds vocabulary words, including:

1. Baby
2. Crib
3. Rocking Chair
4. Bottle
5. Diaper
6. Hungry
7. Feed/Eat
8. Wash
9. Sleep

•   Emphasizes early learning concepts, including:

1. Big/Little
2. In/Out     
3. Warm/Cold   
4. Young/Old
5. Happy/Sad
6. Gentle

Enjoy playing and learning with your child!