Sunday, September 7, 2014

Tips For Selecting The Best Dolls For Girls In Every Stage Of Childhood

By Jody Leach


Playing with dolls has been a popular past-time of young "mothers-in-training" for hundreds of years. It's a great way to stimulate a child's nurturing side and creativity, and for many youngsters, a doll is one of their first "friends". When buying dolls for girls, it can be overwhelming trying to find just the right one, this guide outlines the basic types and what they have to offer.

Perhaps the first thing to keep in mind when shopping for a doll is the age of the child one intends to give it to. The best choice for an infant or young toddler is likely a soft, cloth doll which has no small parts attached, as these can be a choking hazard, whereas a preschooler needs one that is durable and not easily damaged suited to their boisterous play. An older girl is likely to prefer a more sophisticated doll that she can dress up.

A cloth doll is an excellent choice for a baby's first dolly. Their soft bodies are light and easily carried around and cuddled, and not likely to hurt the child if she drops it or bumps herself with it. Most can be easily laundered in a washing machine or wiped with a damp cloth. Even for preschool-aged children they are suitable, as some teach skills like lacing, buttoning etc.

Preschoolers may want to have a doll that resembles a real baby, especially as they see mothers caring for their infants, and want to imitate this. More realistic in appearance, this kind of doll has either a cloth body with plastic legs, arms, and head, or an entirely vinyl or rubber body. Some have rooted hair, and eyes that can shut, and others will "wet" when given a bottle.

Older children may also enjoy interactive dolls that "act like real kids". This type of doll is operated by batteries and performs such entertaining functions as singing, talking, laughing, walking, and many more. It makes the little girl feel as though she has an actual playmate or "baby" she can take care of, and it is guaranteed to make her smile.

Since Barbie's debut on the toy market over fifty years ago, the fashion doll has enjoyed huge popularity amongst school-aged girls. Standing just under a foot tall, these replicas of grown women can be dressed up in a multitude of fashions made especially for them, and one can also purchase cars, houses, furnishings, and various other accessories to make playing with them even more exciting.

Another popular doll with school-age girls are the 18-inch ones that look like a real girl of their own age. Certain types of this kind of doll can be rather costly, as are their outfits, although they are beautiful, high-quality dollies that are likely to be very valuable collector's items in the future. Some of the "imitation" lines are more affordable.

Today there are more options than ever before for buying dolls. There's always stores, and also the international marketplace, easily accessed through numerous sites online. Those who want a unique or classic doll, may even find a treasure or two at places like flea markets or garage sales.




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