The Barbie School of Friendship Helps Kids Develop Social Skills
Laura McQuarrie — February 24, 2023 — Life-Stages
References: toyworldmag
The Barbie School of Friendship is a first-of-its-kind educational resource and it was created in collaboration with educators to help young students develop empathy and social skills. With a focus on kindness and friendship, The Barbie School of Friendship uses neuroscientific research to engage primary school students and KS2 pupils.
In 2023, 700 schools across the UK will introduce kids to a series of lessons to encourage them to think, act and feel differently in relation to realistic situations, such as when a school friend feels left out.
The foundations of the educational resource were built on neuroscientific research commissioned by Mattel and undertaken by Cardiff University. It was found that doll play activates brain regions associated with social information processing and for this reason, doll play is a big part of The Barbie School of Friendship.
In 2023, 700 schools across the UK will introduce kids to a series of lessons to encourage them to think, act and feel differently in relation to realistic situations, such as when a school friend feels left out.
The foundations of the educational resource were built on neuroscientific research commissioned by Mattel and undertaken by Cardiff University. It was found that doll play activates brain regions associated with social information processing and for this reason, doll play is a big part of The Barbie School of Friendship.
Trend Themes
1. Empathy-building Play Programs - Creating empathy-building play programs that use neuroscientific research to help young students develop social skills and emotional intelligence can revolutionize the education industry.
2. Doll Play and Social Information Processing - The use of doll play to activate brain regions associated with social information processing can pave the way for the creation of more engaging and effective educational resources.
3. Social-emotional Learning in Primary Schools - As more primary schools introduce social-emotional learning programs like The Barbie School of Friendship, there will be an increased demand for resources and curriculum designed to teach kids important life skills beyond traditional academic subjects.
Industry Implications
1. Education - The education industry can leverage empathy-building play programs like The Barbie School of Friendship to create more engaging and effective resources that promote social-emotional learning and prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
2. Toy Manufacturing - Toy manufacturers can explore the use of neuroscientific research to create new products that enhance social-emotional development in children and promote empathy-building through play.
3. Child Development - As research continues to shed light on the importance of social-emotional development in early childhood, there will be a growing need for innovative programs and resources focused on enhancing children's emotional intelligence and social skills.
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