It's a fact, dolls are some of the oldest toys in history. There are a representation of the kids themselves and allow them to gain a greater understanding of themselves and other people around them. Before children form a real human friendship, their favourite doll is their best friend. Dolls like any other toy provide kids with some amazing developmental benefits. Imitating the way adults care for babies helps them to develop caring and nurturing skills. Caring for their favourite doll help them to develop empathy and cognitive skills. Dressing and undressing a doll is a perfect way for kids to practice using buttons and zippers and learn how their clothing works. And all this leads to the developing of fine motor and self-help skills.

So yes, playing with dolls is a perfect way for kids to implement imaginative play and develop all those skills. A doll is more than just a toy for kids - it can be their companion and best friend. However, the first dolls ware not even closer to how today's dolls look. There are so many different options today all coming with different sizes and materials. But also, they look more real than ever. Research has discovered that most kids prefer to play with dolls that look just like real babies with authentic characteristics, correct features and moveable legs and arms.

We are all different, and kids become very self-aware of these differences at a very young age. When children understand and appreciate the differences that surround them, they learn to respect them and not use them to divide. Because of this, it is important to encourage the celebration of diversity. The easiest way to do this is to give your child multicultural dolls to play with. These dolls promote the celebration of similarities, cultural differences and diversity. Have a few of them in your home can encourage the kid's self-acceptance, self-esteem, self-identification and confidence which are all important parts from the kid's development. Multicultural dolls are designed to teach kids about family and diversity. They are flexible and soft to the touch. They allow adults to discuss similarities and differences naturally as kids notice them while playing.

In the range of multicultural toys for kids there are also multicultural dolls for toddlers with Down syndrome. Kids enjoy playing with dolls that they can identify with. Today, kids with Down syndrome can also experience having a doll that looks just like them. By including such a doll into your child's early environment will help him/her gain acceptance and a better understanding of kids with disabilities. Multicultural doll toys should be offered with equal respect as a part of a kid's differences and similarities. These toys are an amazing resource for any home, nursery, primary school or early years setting.

These settings should be equipped with a diverse selection of dolls. Like soft-bodied dolls to rag dolls, baby dolls and soft-vinyl dolls. There should also be a wide range of accessories for dolls like strollers, clothing, doll beds, carriers, baths, chairs and more. Also, in the range of multicultural toys, apart dolls and babies diverse memory games, puzzles and mix and match games. There are also multicultural, paints, crayons and other art supplies. Diverse family toys and materials are also available and a good choice for kids to play with as they can create their own family with so many variations. Multicultural food sets are perfect for a grocery store and kitchen play.

Multicultural toys and dolls are part of any traditional store shelves and online toy stores. They provide a wonderful way for kids to develop a sense of belonging for their friends and family members and the opportunity to embrace and explore the diversity around them. Kids start with a doll play about the age of two. They begin to talk to dolls, tuck them into bed, feed them, play the role of mommy and daddy. By the age of four, they use the dolls to act out school roles and family.

In kindergarten and primary schools years, kids play with all kinds of dolls including multicultural ones. Realism is important and realism include diversity. For infants, realism is a simple body form made of plastic or fabric. Kids from 3 to 5 usually prefer dolls that look like real babies that can move their arms and legs as they can pose them in different positions. Today, dolls ideally represent different cultures and ethnic groups. Even in classrooms in which all kids are from the same racial or ethnic group, dolls still need to represent the diversity in the community. It is not enough for dolls to have just different colour of their skin. They also need to have different facial features and hair. They can also include some diverse abilities through the use of props like hearing aid, wheelchair, eyeglasses. All these features are what made a good multicultural doll.