Understanding the Impact of Doll Play on Children's Social Skills
Mattel, Inc. and Cardiff University have unveiled the latest findings from their multi-year study, shedding light on the short and long-term developmental effects of doll play. This comprehensive research, now in its third year, suggests that doll play can be a valuable experience for children with diverse social communication styles, including those who exhibit traits commonly associated with autism.
Dr. Sarah Gerson's Groundbreaking Research
Led by neuroscientist Dr. Sarah Gerson from Cardiff University's School of Psychology's Centre for Human Developmental Science, this study builds on earlier discoveries from the past two years. It also extends its scope to include a more diverse group of participants, ranging from children aged 4–8 who exhibit both high and low levels of traits commonly associated with autism.
In collaboration with Dr. Catherine Jones, Director of the Wales Autism Research Centre at Cardiff University, the data from the third year reaffirms the findings of the first year. It demonstrates that engaging in doll play, whether alone or with peers, can enhance social processing abilities in children. These results hold true for children with varying levels of autistic traits, albeit through distinct approaches to play.
Doll Play Encourages Social Processing
Dr. Gerson states, "Our study shows that doll play can encourage social processing in children, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile. The findings suggest that all children, including those with neurodivergent traits commonly associated with autism, may use doll play as a tool for practicing social scenarios and developing social skills, such as empathy."
The research team employed state-of-the-art functional, near-infrared spectroscopy equipment to monitor brain activity during doll play and tablet use, both individually and with companions. This replicated conditions from the first year of the study. The observations revealed increased brain activity in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) region during doll play, irrespective of whether it was solitary or interactive. The pSTS region plays a crucial role in social and emotional processing. The study found that doll play activates brain regions linked to social information processing, such as empathy, indicating that children can rehearse, utilize, and enhance these skills even when playing independently. Importantly, this effect in the brain was consistent across children with different levels of autistic traits.
Supporting Social Development Across Neurodiversity
The research suggests that doll play can support social processing in children, irrespective of their neurodevelopmental profile, though the mechanisms may vary. For children with fewer autistic traits, discussing others' mental states was related to pSTS activity when playing with dolls alone. In contrast, for those with more autistic traits, engaging in conversations with others during doll play was related to pSTS activity, even when playing alone.
The Year 3 findings from Cardiff University emphasize that children, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile, can engage in and potentially benefit from doll play concerning their social development. It is well-established that social processing and empathy skills are crucial determinants of a child's future emotional, academic, and social success.
A Focus on Neurodiversity
Dr. Catherine Jones emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and valuing neurodiversity. This entails recognizing and appreciating the diverse ways in which children's brains function and adopting an inclusive and accommodating approach to social development for all children, regardless of their neurodivergence. By embracing all styles of play, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for children's development.
Validating the Power of Play
Since Jean Piaget's groundbreaking work on cognitive development, play has been considered beneficial for children's social skills and creativity. However, this study marks the first time these key Piagetian theories on play have been scientifically validated through brain imaging. Furthermore, it is the first study to use neuroimaging evidence with natural doll play, allowing researchers to examine how the brain is activated during doll play without a prescribed storyline.
Barbie's Commitment to Children's Development
Michael Swaisland, Head EMEA of Insight and Analytics at Mattel, notes, "We are proud to know that when children, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile, play with Barbie, their playtime may benefit their development." Barbie aims to inspire the limitless potential in every child, and this study highlights how playing with Barbie can encourage the development of social skills like empathy in children, including those who exhibit traits commonly associated with autism. The partnership between Mattel and Cardiff University continues to explore the multifaceted benefits of doll play, uncovering its positive impact on children's development.
A Groundbreaking Study
The results from this third year of research are documented in the study titled "Embracing Neurodiversity in Doll Play: Investigating Neural and Language Correlates of Doll Play in a Neurodiverse Sample." This peer-reviewed research was published in the European Journal of Neuroscience in September 2023 by Dr. Sarah Gerson and her colleagues at Cardiff University's Centre for Human Developmental Science, UK, along with collaborators from King's College London.
Learn More and Access Resources
Parents and caregivers interested in learning more about the research and accessing resources can visit barbie.com/benefits.
About Mattel Mattel, Inc. is a global leader in the toy industry and boasts a portfolio of beloved children's and family entertainment franchises. Their innovative products and experiences inspire and engage children through play. With iconic brands such as Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, and MEGA®, Mattel offers a wide range of engaging experiences for children. Beyond toys, they also offer film and television content, gaming, music, and live events. Operating in 35 locations, Mattel products are available in over 150 countries through partnerships with leading retailers and e-commerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel has been a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
About Cardiff University Cardiff University is a renowned teaching and research institution, consistently ranked as one of the UK's leading universities. As a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, the University stands out for its research excellence. Cardiff University offers an extensive range of expertise, spanning the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, and the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering. With a commitment to lifelong learning, the University's flagship Research Institutes are pioneering new solutions to global challenges. For more information, visit Cardiff University.
