Why promote diversity in toys?
Barbie is launching its first doll with Down’s syndrome. The doll comes with a new face and body sculpt that includes a shorter frame and a longer torso – more illustrative of women with Down’s syndrome.
Mattel said it consulted the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US and medical professionals to inform the design process. Mattel said they wanted to bring out the doll to “enable all children to see themselves in Barbie”.
Barbie's inclusive line
This doll is part of the Barbie Fashionistas line launched in 2022. It also features a Barbie with a prosthetic leg, a Barbie who uses a wheelchair, and male dolls that are thinner and less muscular. Mattel described this collection as its “most diverse and inclusive doll line, offering a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities and fashions, to inspire even more stories”.
Importance of inclusivity in toys
The role of toys in a child’s life is not limited to mere pleasure or fun. During playtime, your child learns a lot about the world around them, as well as about themselves. Even babies are introduced to sound, light and colors through toys.
You must have heard about the pink vs. blue debate, when it comes to toys for girls and boys. Expanding on the same, getting exposed to different ethnicities, disabilities, genders, and cultures through toys can help you raise an aware and sensible human being.
Gaining representation and acceptance
Inclusive toys are important for kids with conditions such as down syndrome or hearing impairment. Seeing their own selves reflected in the “perfect Barbie” figure can help them feel confident in who they are.
Similarly, to end racism and narrow notions of beauty, allow your child to invest in toys that represent themselves as well as others they may not relate to, yet accept and understand.
Identifying with those different from them
Introducing diverse toys for your child will help them identify with people who are different to them. Sometimes kids are not exposed to a variety of people from different ethnicities or health conditions. However, gaining appropriate knowledge and acceptance of diversity through toys, cartoon shows and story books can make it easier for your child to understand diversity positively.
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Values it will foster
Toys nurture your child's cognitive development during the most important years. Investing in inclusive toys for your child can foster positive values like empathy, tolerance, and acceptance.
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