Children's toys are very diverse, but the doll is always central to the life of any baby. And, as psychologists say, not in vain. After all, with its help, the peanut masters the basic skills of self-service, reproduces the actions of surrounding people, develops speech and motor skills. What else can this ordinary toy teach your child?
For some reason, many parents are sure that playing with baby dolls is purely girlish entertainment. We hasten to reassure the shocked dads, whose two-year-old sons are happy to ride baby strollers. There is nothing alarming and, moreover, reprehensible. Every kid needs to learn the norms and rules of human relations, so do not deprive the boys of games with little babies. And we will tell about their benefits further.
What can a doll teach?
- At an early age, she replaces peers and prepares your offspring for future contacts with them. In kindergarten, he gradually moves from a one-man interaction with a baby doll to full-fledged plot and role-playing games with classmates.
- Dressing and undressing toys is especially interesting for children. They remember in which order to wear panties, tights, socks, outerwear. They also learn to fasten buttons, press rivets, interact with a zipper. They then apply all these skills in real life.
- It helps your little one to replenish the vocabulary with new words. He remembers the names of various parts of the body (arms, legs, tummy) and faces (eyes, nose, mouth and ears). With the help of a doll, a variety of actions are demonstrated: swimming, running, jumping, lying down so that the children understand the meaning of verbs.
- A one and a half year old child, playing with a rubber beauty, learns to properly hold and use items such as bottles, spoons, plates, mugs and forks. He also learns the first hygiene skills: combing hair, washing handles, using a toothbrush, interacting with a pot.
- The girl, swaddling her baby doll and singing lullabies to him, tries on the main female role - mothers. Only with a doll can you play the psychologically important lesson “Daughters-mothers”, which forms the experience of family relationships, develops responsibility, care and kindness.
- Through manipulations with a little baby, some parents prepare their daughter or son for the appearance of a younger brother or sister in their lives. After all, a doll can be fed, changed, and rocked, especially since today there are special diapers, tiny clothes, and many other things.
- Additional doll accessories allow children to better navigate in the adult world. Toy kitchens help girls become even more like their mothers, and a “boiling” teapot and a “soup” pan are safe, unlike real ones.
- The baby can tell her beloved Katya or Masha about her mood, share her failures and joys, lose the disturbing situations, ending them on a positive note. This helps children get away from anxiety and negative emotions.
Choose a doll - the necessary parameters
Near the shelves with children's goods, not only the children, but also the parents sometimes have their eyes widen. When purchasing a plastic beauty, you need to remember that the wrong choice can harm your child.
Basic requirements for a doll (for a baby up to 5 years old):
- children's (without a hint of sexuality) appearance, the correct proportions of the body;
- the materials from which the toy is made must be natural, safe for the crumbs;
- lack of sharp corners, small detachable parts;
- strong hair that will not fall out after the actions of small hairdressers;
- facial expressions should not be too bright for the baby to be able to think out various feelings;
- ease of changing wardrobe.
It is absolutely impossible to imagine a happy childhood without dolls - they were invented to help kids grow up. Remember that the child does not care if he has a cheap toy or an expensive one. The most important thing is that it be interesting, pleasant-looking and safe. A correctly selected doll will certainly become the best girlfriend for the girl, her constant partner in games.
READ ALSO: The most popular dolls for girls in 2015
The role of toys in the mental development of the child
