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Playing with dolls could help the social development of children - including those with neurodiverse conditions such as autism, according to a study. The research, from Cardiff University, found children exhibiting higher levels of autism traits showed increased brain activity in a key region associated with social processing when engaging in conversations with individuals during doll play. The new findings suggested that broader social engagement with others while engaging in doll play was a unique pathway to social development for these children. This was in contrast to what was observed in neurotypical children, who were more likely to discuss the dolls’ thoughts and emotions. However, researchers said that despite this difference, it showed that both groups may be able to benefit from doll play by using it as a tool for practising social scenarios and developing social skills, such as empathy. The findings are the latest release from a multi-year study by the Centre for Human Developmental Science at the university’s School of Psychology. Previous years have focused on neurotypical children and found wide-ranging social and developmental benefits of playing with dolls. Now, in its third year, the research team has replicated those results with a more diverse range of participants, including children aged between four and eight displaying both high and low levels of traits associated with autism. Lead researcher Dr Sarah Gerson said: “Our study shows that doll play can encourage social processing in children, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile. “The findings show that all children, even those who display neurodivergent traits commonly associated with autism, may use doll play as a tool for practicing social scenarios and developing social skills, such as empathy.” State-of-the-art functional, near-infrared spectroscopy equipment was used to explore brain activation while children played with dolls and on tablets, both by themselves and with another person, replicating conditions from the first year of the study. While observing children, researchers saw increased brain activity in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) region - which is heavily involved in social and emotional processing such as empathy - when playing with dolls, for both play with a social partner and during solo doll play, but less so during solo tablet play. The study’s results suggest that doll play could support social processing, regardless of a child’s neurodevelopmental profile, but through different pathways. For children displaying fewer autistic traits in the research, talking about the mental states and emotions of the dolls they were playing with was associated with increased pSTS activity. In contrast, for those displaying more autistic traits, talking with others during doll play, even when playing by themselves, led to more social processing on a neural level. Other research has shown that social processing and empathy skills are important determinants in children’s future emotional, academic, and social success. The study was a collaboration with the Wales Autism Research Centre. ‘Create a more inclusive and supportive environment for their development’ Its director Dr Catherine Jones said: “The study reinforces how it is important that that we acknowledge and value neurodiversity. “This means recognising and valuing the diverse ways in which children’s brains work and approaching social development in a way that is inclusive and accommodating for all children, regardless of their neurodivergence. “By embracing all ways that children choose to play, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for their development.” Since the landmark publication of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the effects of play have been thought to be positive for kids’ social skills and creativity, but this has never been scientifically evidenced at the brain level. The multi-year long-term study, commissioned by Barbie, is the first time key Piaget theories on play have been scientifically evidenced via brain imaging and the first to use neuroimaging evidence with natural doll play, meaning there was no prescribed storyline to show how the brain is activated during doll play. Michael Swaisland, head EMEA of insight and analytics, Mattel, said: “We are proud to know that when children, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile, play with Barbie, their playtime may benefit their development. “As Barbie continues to inspire the limitless potential in every child, we are delighted to know, through neuroscience, that playing with dolls may encourage the development of social skills such as empathy in children, including those who display neurodivergent traits commonly associated with autism. “We look forward to uncovering even more benefits of doll play through our long-term partnership with Cardiff University as we look to shine a light on the benefits the play pattern has towards development, that parents might not have been aware of.” Parents and caregivers can visit here to learn more about the research and access resources. 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Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she still owns her infamous 2002 Oscars dress that “everybody hated,” and that her daughter Apple Martin even wears it on occasion. The Goop founder, 50, took to Instagram on Thursday 15 June to answer some questions from her fans and followers – including what she ate for breakfast and her go-to restaurant recommendations. When one fan asked Paltrow if her daughter Apple wears “any of [her] fashion archives,” the Shakespeare in Love star responded with a photo of the 19-year-old model dressed in the memorable Alexander McQueen gown, which Paltrow wore to the 2002 Academy Awards. In the snap, Apple – who Paltrow shares with ex-husband and Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin – could be seen standing in her mother’s walk-in closet while posing with one hand under her chin and the other on her hip. Back in 2002, the gothic Alexander McQueen dress caused quite a stir for its sheer, sleeveless bodice. The punk-inspired black gown also featured a flowing black floor-length skirt. Gwyneth Paltrow has previously discussed the criticism she received after attending the 2002 Oscars in the daring gown. In 2021, the Glee alum revisited some of her most iconic fashion moments, including the criticism she received for the black McQueen dress. “Everybody really hated this [dress] ... but I think it’s kind of dope,” she said in a video interview with Vogue. “I’m into it.” However, the lifestyle guru admitted she was hurt by the criticism over the dress at the time. “I had a weird hangover about it for a while because people were really critical,” Paltrow explained. “I think at the time it was too goth, I think people thought it was too hard, so I think it sort of shocked people. But I like it.” Paltrow also defended the dress – which was then dubbed “unflattering” and “a fashion disaster” – in a Q&A post shared to Goop’s website in 2013. “I still love the dress itself but I should have worn a bra and I should have just had simple beachy hair and less makeup,” she said. “Then, it would have worked as I wanted it to – a little bit of punk at the Oscars.” Apple Martin has since become somewhat of a fashion icon herself. Earlier this year, she made her Paris Fashion Week debut at the Chanel haute couture spring/summer 2023 show in January. For the occasion, Apple was pictured sitting front row in a black-and-white tweed skirt and jacket set by Chanel. The teen recently poked fun at the Iron Man star after she made some candid confessions about her love life during an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast. In a video shared to the official Call Her Daddy Instagram account, Apple could be seen standing next to her mom and host Alex Cooper, as Paltrow shared many NSFW details about exes Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck. Apple proceeded to cover her ears as her mom divulged about her past relationships. “When your mom goes on Call Her Daddy,” the text over the clip read, along with a crying face emoji. In addition to daughter Apple, Paltrow shares 17-year-old son Moses with ex Chris Martin. These days, the entrepreneur is married to producer Brad Falchuk, while the Coldplay singer has been dating actor Dakota Johnson since 2017. Read More Gwyneth Paltrow recalls being hurt by criticism of 2002 Oscar dress that ‘everybody hated’ Apple Martin hilariously reacts to Gwyneth Paltrow’s candid confessions about love life on Call Her Daddy Apple Martin opens up about attending first fashion show and her ‘classic ‘90s’ style

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