Play tips - Build your child's confidence with the help of dolls

Building self-confidence in children is one of the most important tasks for parents and caregivers. A child with strong self-confidence is better equipped to handle challenges, take initiative and develop healthy relationships. An effective tool for strengthening the child's self-confidence is to use a doll that represents the child. A doll in which the child can reflect himself, which allows the child to be the main character in the game. Here's how you can do it.

Why use a doll?

Dolls can act as a mirror for the child's own reality. By seeing himself in the doll, the child can explore emotions and behaviors in a safe and controlled way. Dolls can also help the child express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words otherwise. This, in turn, can strengthen the child's self-esteem and self-confidence. Have you seen Watoto Art's wide range of dolls? Find a doll that represents you here!

Here's how to use the doll to build your child's self-confidence

1. Give the doll a name and a personality

To make the doll really feel like a representation of the child, give it a name and a personality that the child can relate to. Let the child be involved in deciding these details to create a stronger connection with the doll .

Tip: Ask the child what the doll should be called and what characteristics it has. This can include favorite colors, interests and even dreams and aspirations. Did you know that at Watoto Arts you can get dolls with a name of your choice embroidered?

2. Use the doll in role play

Role playing is a powerful way to strengthen the child's self-confidence. By staging different scenarios, the child can practice handling different situations and develop problem-solving skills.

Practice: Create scenarios where the doll faces a challenge, such as starting a new school or trying to learn something new. Let the child guide how the doll overcomes these challenges and encourage them to think positively and constructively.

Questions to ask:

- How do you think [doll's name] can solve this problem?

- What can [doll name] say to himself to feel braver?

- How can [doll name] ask for help if it needs it?

3. Notice and celebrate successes

Celebrating successes, even small ones, is important for building self-confidence. Use the doll to show the child how to be proud of their achievements.

Practice: When the puppet "succeeds" at something in the role-play, take a moment to celebrate. You can ask the child to reward the doll or arrange a party for the doll.

Questions to ask:

- How do you think [doll's name] feels now that it has made it through this?"

- What can we say to [doll's name] to show how proud we are of it?

- How can [doll name] reward himself for his hard work?

4. Model a positive inner voice

Encourage the child to speak softly and empathetically to the doll . This can help the child develop a positive internal dialogue. The same voice the child uses for the doll, it will use when talking to yourself. It becomes the child's inner voice.

Let the doll say positive things to her doll. In this way, the child learns to talk kindly and empathetically to himself.

5. Create a safe environment for failure

Learning to deal with failure is an important part of building confidence. Use the doll to show that it is okay to make mistakes and that these can be educational.

Practice: Let the puppet make mistakes in different scenarios and show how it can learn and grow from these experiences.

Questions to ask:

- What can [doll name] learn from this mistake?

- How can [doll name] try again in a different way?

- What can [doll name] say to himself to feel better after a mistake?

Final thoughts

Using a doll that represents the child is a creative and effective way to build confidence. Through role play, positive inner voice and a safe environment to deal with challenges, the child can develop a stronger sense of self and be better equipped to face life with confidence.