In early childhood, play is far more than entertainment — it is one of the most powerful tools for learning, development, and building lifelong skills. New research from Cardiff University highlights just how important imaginative play can be — particularly when children play with dolls.
What the Research Found
A recent six-week study conducted by researchers at Cardiff University examined children aged 4 to 8 years old, comparing doll play with tablet-based play. Parents kept play diaries and children were later assessed using structured laboratory tests designed to measure social understanding.
The findings were clear:
- Children who played with dolls showed improved understanding of others’ thoughts and feelings
- Doll play helped develop “theory of mind” — the ability to understand other people’s beliefs and emotions
- Both boys and girls benefited equally
- The greatest improvements were seen in children experiencing peer relationship difficulties
According to lead researcher Dr Sarah Gerson, these skills are fundamental for building relationships:
“Theory of mind… is a foundational skill for developing relationships with peers, teachers, and parents.”
Why Doll Play Supports Social Development
The study found that children playing with dolls were more likely to:
- Use language expressing emotions
- Play socially with siblings, parents, or friends
- Create imaginative scenarios
- Role-play real-life social situations
These behaviours help children practise empathy, communication, and emotional understanding in a safe and creative environment.
Researchers also found that children who played with dolls showed improvements in false belief understanding — a key milestone in emotional intelligence and social development.
What This Means for Early Years Settings
At Maxxi Childcare LTD, we understand that structured learning and free play work hand in hand. This research reinforces the importance of:
- Imaginative play opportunities
- Role-play and storytelling
- Inclusive toys for all children
- Child-led play environments
Providing dolls and role-play resources isn’t just about playtime — it’s about helping children:
- Develop empathy
- Build communication skills
- Understand emotions
- Form stronger friendships
- Prepare for school and life
Supporting Children’s Development Through Play
The research also emphasises that children benefit from creating stories, acting out scenarios, and imagining others’ perspectives, all of which help strengthen social skills and emotional regulation.
These are the very foundations that support children’s confidence, resilience, and wellbeing as they grow.
Parents can easily incorporate this type of play at home by providing children with dolls or figures and encouraging open-ended storytelling, such as acting out daily routines, friendships, or problem-solving situations; joining in occasionally by asking gentle questions like “How is your doll feeling?” or “What happens next?” to promote emotional thinking; creating simple role-play spaces using everyday items like blankets, toy kitchens, or soft toys; encouraging children to include family members or friends in shared imaginative play; allowing both boys and girls equal access to dolls to support empathy development; setting aside short, regular periods for unstructured imaginative play without screens; and praising children’s creativity and emotional expression to reinforce confidence and social understanding.
Our Commitment at Maxxi Childcare LTD
At Maxxi Childcare LTD, we create environments where meaningful play is encouraged every day. By offering a wide range of imaginative play opportunities, we support children’s:
- Social development
- Emotional intelligence
- Communication skills
- Confidence and independence
At Maxxi, we incorporate these findings by providing children with a variety of dolls, figures, and role-play resources that encourage imaginative storytelling, emotional expression, and social interaction; our practitioners support this by modelling conversations about feelings, asking open-ended questions, and creating real-life scenarios such as caring for a baby, visiting the doctor, or making friends, which helps children develop empathy and understanding of others; we also ensure that all children, regardless of gender, are encouraged to participate in doll and role-play activities, while offering regular opportunities for collaborative play to strengthen peer relationships, communication skills, and confidence; by combining child-led play with gentle adult guidance, we create a nurturing environment where children can safely explore emotions, practise social situations, and build the foundational life skills highlighted in the research.
Because when children play, they don’t just have fun — they learn how to understand the world and the people around them.
Reference:
Cardiff University (2026). Playing with dolls improves understanding of others. Published 18 March 2026.
