| Imagination is healthy. Unfortunately, many | | | | dolls can lead wild fantasy lives or do |
| toys and games these days actually stifle the | | | | literally anything the doll maker wishes. |
| imagination. If there is any indication of | | | | Young girls can try on imaginary |
| the future success of children, it is the | | | | personalities or styles, or create avatars |
| amount of imaginative, or make-believe play | | | | and characters to be used for any number of |
| they engage in on a daily basis. Many parents | | | | games and contests. |
| overlook this critical factor and begin to | | | | |
| push learning games or toys with built-in | | | | Many doll creation sites, like |
| story lines. | | | | TheDollPalace.com, offer more than simple |
| | | | doll creation software. They give girls a |
| From Real-Life to Virtual | | | | chance to find others interested in the same |
| | | | sort of make-believe games and imaginary |
| Young children almost always begin to play | | | | worlds. Doll Palace offers forums and |
| using their imaginations. Toy kitchens and | | | | opportunities to share stories about dolls. |
| doll houses help little kids act like the | | | | Not only are the girls creating these complex |
| grown-ups they admire. Of course, the minute | | | | dolls, they are writing histories and stories |
| the children discover the wonders of the | | | | for their characters as well. |
| internet, much of this imaginative play | | | | |
| begins to fade, but it doesn't have to. | | | | The Benefits of Make-Believe Games |
| | | | |
| There are opportunities online for | | | | If it is not already obvious, make-believe |
| make-believe games. Although many games | | | | games, such as these online dolls, give |
| children play via the internet involve | | | | children an opportunity to flex their |
| predetermined actions and plot sequences, | | | | creative muscle. Creativity and imagination |
| this is not the case for all. Some games | | | | are some of the most wonderful gifts of |
| utilize the imagination more than even | | | | childhood and often they are stomped out by |
| traditional toys. Online dolls offer young | | | | excessive school work or games that trap |
| girls a chance to stretch not only their | | | | players in certain characters or roles. Those |
| fashion sense but their imagination as well. | | | | that enjoy these dolls should be encouraged |
| | | | to continue playing, and parents interested |
| Playing Make-Believe Games | | | | in developing or fostering these skills in |
| | | | their own children should seek out |
| It may seem simple to the casual observer. | | | | make-believe games. |
| Stick some clothes on a doll and you have a | | | | |
| finished creation. But it is much more than | | | | Of course the best way to interact with your |
| that to the regulars. Every aspect of online | | | | child as well as encourage the use of the |
| play has great significance. Choosing the | | | | imagination is to sit down routinely with |
| right base is the first step - is the doll | | | | your daughter and ask about her dolls. Do |
| going to represent the doll maker, or is she | | | | they have a history or is there something |
| trying her hand at something new? Then | | | | special about each one? Parents will be |
| clothing is selected based on what that doll | | | | amazed at the lengths doll makers will go to |
| is going to be doing or represent. | | | | build a complete fantasy life around a simple |
| | | | online paper doll. Imagination is truly a |
| Young girls with rich imaginations love | | | | wonder to behold. |
| playing dress up games with these dolls. The | | | | |