According to the NY Times Wirecutter’s doll buying guide of the best dolls, writer and mom Julie Kim says it best, “For a child, a doll can be a playmate, an adventure partner, someone to take care of, and a friend when life gets hard or scary. A doll can also invite a kid to celebrate their own identity, explore those of others, and see their wants and needs reflected back to them in instructive and meaningful ways. And experts are zeroing in on another developmental benefit of dolls: their ability to increase empathy.”