The launch of My First Barbie was born from insights we gained from parents, as we are always talking to families about what they are looking for to best suit their needs. Through this research, we discovered a whitespace. Parents had a desire to introduce their preschool-aged children to Barbie but were planning to wait until they were older with more developed dexterity,” Tasja Kirkwood, vice president of global consumer insights at Mattel, said in a statement. “This insight led to the exploration of the first Barbie doll designed specifically for preschool-aged children, enabling Barbie to reach even more parents and children with the Barbie system of play.”

Closures on the clothing are simple, facilitating easy dress-up play for smaller hands -- which can also help build dexterity!I don’t think there’s one specific doll that’s most appropriate. I think doll play allows children to really practice storytelling skills, perspective taking and social interactions,” LeVos said. My First Barbie’s limbs are moveable, like some past versions of the doll, and her facial features remain recognizable. A huge milestone: Her fingers and thumbs are connected, eliminating a frequent complaint that Barbie’s hands get caught in her clothes when children try to put them on. The set also comes with an adorable plush flamingo! It features a wristlet to loop around the doll’s hand so she can carry her flamingo around, encouraging friendship stories.

Parents also indicated that they are likely to choose a toy for their daughter based on a favorite character, and this ‘favorite’ status is often driven by content exposure. This finding led to the creation of My First Barbie YouTube content, the first Barbie animated special designed for preschoolers. Inviting younger kids to ‘meet’ Barbie and be introduced to her inspiring world. In addition to its unique features, My First Barbie also has an affordable price point, making it a great option for parents who want to introduce their child to the wonderful world of Barbie without breaking the bank. This new doll is sure to bring joy and delight to any child’s playtime, while also providing a safe and educational experience. You will see the smile on your child’s face grow as they begin their journey into imaginative play! The slightly softer-bodied Barbie follows on the high heels of tall, petite and curvy iterations that were released five years ago in a massive makeover. Little kids can dress their My First Barbie™ doll (not included) for a fun day in the sun! (Clothing compatible with My First Barbie™ 13.5-inch dolls.)

Preschool-aged kids want to brush hair, change outfits, and tell stories but may require help from an adult with the traditional Barbie scale. A pink ruffle swimsuit is included, as well as large-scale accessories like a sunhat, tropical drink and pair of sandals.

The Animation is Beautiful and Awe-Spiring (inspiring) and it does have sweet moments for the most part and very fun and Dreamy Musical Numbers. I can recommend watching this over and over anytime (When I don't have work) for contless hours. Simple closures make dress-up play a breeze for smaller hands, setting up fun and easy fashion moments. We talk to parents and kids almost 365 days a year,” she said. “We started hearing a theme around younger kids wanting to play with Barbie. Parents were concerned that their children at the preschool age didn’t have the fine motor skills to have a positive play experience with our traditional fashion doll.” Joaniko Kohchi, director for Adelphi University’s Institute for Parenting, questioned Mattel’s motives.Mattel Announces The First-Ever Barbie Doll Specifically Designed for Preschool-Aged Children – Plus Giveaway Gone is the contentious hourglass figure for My First Barbie, which launched Thursday ahead of July’s live-action film about the icon starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. That’s why the brand’s newest doll, called My First Barbie, is made specifically for preschool-aged children ages 3 and up. The new line of dolls and accessories have the same look and feel of other Barbie dolls, but are updated with larger accessories, easy-to-dress Velcro fashions and a larger, softer doll body made for smaller hands. The dolls are available in four skin tones.

For starters, My First Barbie promotes imaginative play and creativity. Children can create their own storylines and scenarios, and the doll’s versatile hair allows them to try out different hairstyles. This helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Inspired by her character in the My First Barbie YouTube series, Teresa is a poseable 13.5-inch doll with a soft torso and limbs that make her easy to handle, carry around and dress. My First Barbie is 13.5 inches tall, 2 inches taller than traditional Babs, with a larger waist that de-emphasizes the bust line (it remains in place, however), and flesh-tone modesty undergarments permanently attached. Her fashion is more kid-like, with playful heart, star and flower designs on jammies and flouncy preschool-friendly dresses and swim gear. Her accessories are larger for littler hands, and her hair is extra long for easier brushing.My First Barbie’s colourful outfit also provides visual stimulation and encourages children to explore different colours and patterns. My First Barbie’s smaller size is perfect for little hands and makes it easy for children to carry her around wherever they go. We talk to parents and kids almost 365 days a year," she said. "We started hearing a theme around younger kids wanting to play with Barbie. Parents were concerned that their children at the preschool age didn't have the fine motor skills to have a positive play experience with our traditional fashion doll." The Mattel Global Consumer Insights team conducted an exploration on what parents look for in a doll for their preschool-aged children. The research showed that while many parents want to buy Barbie dolls for their preschool-aged daughters, some feel like their daughters aren’t old enough to play with the standard sized Barbie doll given their currently dexterity.