What prompted Barbie to do this study?
Barbie has accompanied the growth of generations after generations by representing a point of reference and a moment of pleasant entertainment for children. That playing with dolls had beneficial effects on children's brains, it was always clear to us. However, what prompted us to find scientific evidence to support our thesis was a social need, which arises from a careful reflection on how the way children play is changing. Today it is played very differently even simply from how the game was intended only a few years ago. The time that even the little ones spend every day in front of tablets or other technological devices has in fact increased and is still growing. And certainly the recent one lockdown and all the limitations that parents and children have had to adapt to due to the Coronavirus have exacerbated the problem. Parents caught up in distance learning, smartworking and a thousand difficulties in moving and traveling, often having to give up contact with friends or spend hours of play outdoors, found themselves closed at home with children always attached to a video game. Many parents have wondered in this period whether individual play can help their children or not. Here, with our neuroimaging study that has really given us amazing results we want to show them how playing with dolls, even alone, can have scientifically proven beneficial effects.
Why is empathy so important in children and what are its benefits?
Empathy is an important indicator of children's future success, as it allows them to nurture relationships and develop an aptitude for ability to resolve conflicts. Thanks to empathy then children are able to identify with others and to understand the behavior of others. This helps them in life as much to become leaders as to transform themselves into better parents. Finally, empathy fortifies kids and allows them to deal more independently and aware of the difficulties of life. As also advised by Dr. Michele Borba, a world-renowned educational psychologist, free play with dolls should be encouraged as well as children who speak freely while playing with dolls should be encouraged: listening to their words is essential to discover their interests, their fears and the things they do not like. Dolls can be used precisely to increase empathy in toddlers, for example by encouraging children to comfort and pamper their dolls during the game.
The results emerged from the neuroimaging study.
The study carried out by neuroscientists at Cardiff University, where researchers devote themselves to child development and adult health, with an interdisciplinary scientific approach, monitored brain activity in children of 4-8 years as they played with a variety of Barbie dolls and playsets.
No wonder the most relevant results are of interest to children of both genders!
In fact, playing with dolls manages to activate those areas of the brain that allow children to develop their social skills, like empathy. And what also comforts adults most is that this brain activation capable of developing empathy occurs indiscriminately even when children play with dolls. autonomously and not in company.
Playing with Barbies therefore allows children to experiment with new forms of social interaction and creates interpersonal skills useful for their future success. Parents concerned about their children's social and academic development can therefore breathe a sigh of relief!
Article source Alfeminile
