Dolls Are Us

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School

COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Writing, Speaking and Listening

Recently, there have been several news stories about consumers demanding, and toy companies creating, more diverse representations of dolls for children. This includes more dolls of color, dolls with disabilities, and dolls with different body types as well as other physical characteristics like eye color, hair texture and skin complexion. Dolls are one of the first and most common toys for children. They provide a great deal of playing and learning potential including learning about self, dramatic play, putting clothes on and off,  feeding, talking, language development and nurturing. Because they also provide a reflection of who children are, dolls should include the diversity that is reflected in our society.

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to explore their own identity and the physical characteristics that make each person unique, learn about some of the new diverse representation of dolls, reflect on their own experiences with dolls and propose a new doll by making one and writing a persuasive letter to a toy company.