More than one parent expressed relief that their children’s short-lived obsession with LOL Dolls had passed. Others wanted cuddly dolls and accessories that wouldn’t go missing minutes after they were unboxed. Another parent had to visit several stores before finding a realistic-looking baby boy doll for a preschooler who would soon have a baby brother. When we asked parents if it was important to them to find dolls that reflected their children’s identities, one parent noted the difficulty she encountered finding dolls that reflected her daughters’ Asian heritage without exoticizing it. Several staffers noted their difficulties finding dolls with gender-neutral expressions, non-sexualized bodies, or realistic (but not too realistic, beware the “ uncanny valley”) facial characteristics. We started our research as we often do, by asking a diverse group of parents on Wirecutter’s staff for their opinions about dolls that they’ve considered or purchased for their kids, or that they’ve played with themselves over the years. Mar Ivars, Miniland’s chief innovation officer, told me that the company is working with AIJU, UNESCO, and other organizations to conduct international doll focus groups, and it plans to ultimately unveil new doll nomenclature. Other companies whose dolls we considered, including Götz and Lakeshore Learning, used similar naming conventions for their dolls. Many retailers adopt the same language, though this type of labeling is not on the doll packaging itself. For example, the company labels dolls as “Asian,” “African,” or “Hispanic,” even though children with the dolls’ physical characteristics-such as black hair or light or dark brown skin tones-could come from any number of different cultures and backgrounds. Note, though, that some of the descriptions of dolls in Miniland’s online catalog are problematic. I chose this doll with glasses for my daughter because I appreciated that the doll’s facial features look naturalistic, not exaggerated, and even a bit like my Asian-American daughter. But if you’re having trouble finding a doll that feels right for a child in your life, or you just don’t know where to begin to select a special gift, consider this list as a starting point. Our eight doll recommendations include a plush baby that comes in different skin tones, a superhero kid (with a matching cape for their real-life sidekick), and a perennial favorite with preschool teachers, among others. We focused on dolls that are diverse and inclusive-featuring a range of skin tones, facial characteristics, and hair colors, textures, and styles-as well as those that highlight different cultural backgrounds, gender expressions, and abilities. We interviewed child development experts, spoke with a doll manufacturer, and ultimately tested the dolls with 40 children in four preschool classrooms. To create this list, we spent over 40 hours researching and playing with 25 dolls made by 16 different companies. And experts are zeroing in on another developmental benefit of dolls: their ability to increase empathy. A doll can also invite a kid to celebrate their own identity, explore those of others, and see their wants and needs reflected back to them in instructive and meaningful ways. For a child, a doll can be a playmate, an adventure partner, someone to take care of, and a friend when life gets hard or scary.
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