20/06/2026
🧸 Why Playing with Dolls Is More Powerful Than It Looks
A fascinating study from Cardiff University found that when children play with dolls, they activate brain regions involved in social processing and empathy, even when playing alone.
Why? Because doll play allows children to rehearse social interactions. They create conversations, work through conflicts, and imagine what different characters are thinking and feeling.
This relates to an important developmental skill called **False Belief Understanding**, the ability to recognise that other people can have thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives that differ from our own. This skill forms part of **Theory of Mind**, which underpins empathy, perspective-taking, friendships, and social problem-solving.
When children engage in imaginative play, they're essentially practising these social and emotional skills in a safe environment.
As a clinical child psychologist, I see this all the time. Some children completely withdraw when I ask them direct questions about their feelings.
But if Barbie asks?
Suddenly we know exactly what's happening at school, who's upsetting them, what they're worried about, and how they're feeling. 😂
Sometimes children tell us their stories most clearly through play.
