Barbie has created a new study that conclusively shows doll play helps children develop empathy. With kids stuck indoors for over a year and parents have been concerned their children have not been getting enough social interactions, this study has never been more relevant than it is today. The findings show that the developmental and well-being benefits are better that tablet play even when playing alone.

To fully understand the relevance of the study, Mattel independently commissioned a global survey in twenty-two different countries. This survey questioned fifteen-thousand parents, which showed 91% of parents rate empathy as a fundamental social skill that they would like their child to develop. Surprisingly, only 26% of parents were aware that doll play can help their child develop this skill.

Empathy is important to children’s development to help them:

• Understand other viewpoints, helping them to be better collaborators, leaders and parents.
• Foster successful relationships with conflict resolution skills.
• Build resilience, which helps their ability to bounce back from adversity.

Here are some other tips to help develop empathy in your kids:

1. Talk about feelings.
2. Broaden your child’s horizons.
3. Make feelings flash cards.

Barbie has also launched an online hub that features more detailed resources for parents, teachers, caregivers and children to help support social processing skills development in children. This resource has been created with the support of leading empathy expert, writer and educational psychologist, Dr. Michele Borba.

What do you think of the research done by Barbie? Are you keen to teach your kids empathy? What is your best tip for teaching you child empathy? Tell us in the comments below.