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The doll, a toy apart
For the child, the doll is in a way a double. It is his “human” face that makes the doll a special toy. In the eyes of the child, she is very much alive. It represents a sort of silent double with which he identifies. If he needs tenderness, he hugs her. If he’s worried, he reassures her. If he’s angry, he beats her. The doll thus acquires a primordial role in the universe of the child: receptacle of his emotions, it allows him to express, by words as by gestures, what he feels. With it, the child can give free rein to his aggressiveness, his feeling of frustration. When a newborn catches his mother’s attention, rather than knocking over the baby brother’s crib, he lets off steam on the doll. It therefore represents a healthy substitute! She is also a confidante.Support for the child’s imagination and creativity, the doll gradually becomes his intimate friend, his secret ally, the one he hugs when he feels alone, the one to whom he tells his joys and worries. Indeed, if the doll holds such an important place in the life of the child, it is because it is the object of an unequaled tenderness, of an unfailing attachment.
Up to 18 months, the rag doll
A rag doll, possibly with a celluloid face, is suitable for the baby. For its safety, eyes, shoes and hair must be painted or sewn. The important thing is that it is washable. The rag doll remains valid for up to about 2 years. But it can also be a soft body doll with only celluloid head, arms and legs. This first baby is like a stuffed animal or a blanket. The child manipulates it unceremoniously: it cuddles it by hugging it very tightly, uses it as a pillow and drags it everywhere with it.
From 2 years old, the first swimmer
The bather must look as much as possible like a real baby, but at the same time be “all-terrain”, that is to say, be able to pass in the bath without damage and resist the anger of his daddy or his budding mum. . All in celluloid, the baby with sleepy eyes and painted hair is perfect. Its size should not exceed 25 cm for the child to handle it, like an adult does with a real baby. The child becomes attached to the doll and reproduces more and more maternal attitudes. It is the golden age of childminding. No more holding her by one foot or dragging her on the ground: now he takes care of his baby. He gives him the bottle, awkwardly changes his diaper, rocks him, consoles him, puts him to sleep. In the square, he is proud to take it for a walk in his stroller.
Around 3/4 years old, the doll becomes a companion
The doll with long hair that can be styled, dressed and undressed replaces the bather. The child is now able to take care of it. Little by little, the game becomes socialized and sexualized. Often, between the ages of 3 and 4, boys turn away from it. As for little girls, they love to share their experiences as a mother with friends. : “And yours, Madam, she still pees in her diapers?” “. On the program, for the dolls: dinette, nap and walk, while their young mothers chat. However, being confined to the role of mom, it can become boring! The mannequin dolls are then there to allow the girls to project themselves into the future and to stage the future episodes of their life as a woman: meetings, marriage, baby, work and clothes!