"Using Dolls to Help Children's Social-Emotional Development" is featured in TYC (Teaching Young Children), Vol 3, No 2.  The issue is not available online. For more information and to link to the NAEYC's discussion forum on using dolls click here.

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Getting Started With Your Dolls

  1. Do you want to use Dolls in  your classroom to help children solve problems and learn about themselves as well as eachother?  This slide show will get you started with some background information.  After you open the show you might want to choose pause. That way you can move through each frame at your leisure.  Slide show photographs taken by Stefanie Acernese and Donna Falcone.

PicasaWeb Slideshow

Some other simple tips to consider before getting started:
  1. Selection of your doll or dolls is important.  You can start with just one doll, or you can have a whole family!  Use a doll or dolls that the children have never seen before. 
  2. Create a space in your classroom that is exclusively for this purpose.  You don't need a lot of space, but it is important that this space is exclusively for your dolls.  You will need at least room for your doll(s) to be displayed, some important props (less is best) and a place for attaching a title or speech bubble.
  3. Inform your children that the doll is not for playing with or handling.  They will respect this rule if you are clear and respectful.