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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Anderson from Columbus, OH is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mrs. Anderson's classroom raised $234

Realistic Doll Babies Are Beneficial

Help me give my students realistic baby dolls (also called “life-like” or “real-feel” dolls). These can seem like just a toy choice, but it can actually offer several developmental and emotional benefits for young children.

This project is fully funded

Mrs. Anderson Eakin Elementary School

Columbus, OH Grades PreK-2

My Project

Giving 4-year-olds realistic baby dolls can seem like just a toy choice, but it can actually offer several developmental and emotional benefits at that age. Here's why these kinds of dolls can be useful:

1.

Encourages Nurturing and Empathy**

* At age 4, children are starting to understand others’ feelings more deeply.

* Realistic dolls help them practice **caring behaviors** like feeding, rocking, soothing, or diaper changing.

* This builds **empathy**, which is key for healthy social development.

2. Develops Social and Emotional Skills**

* Children often talk to and for their dolls, creating little conversations or scenarios.

* This kind of **imaginative role-play** helps them process emotions, learn about relationships, and develop a sense of responsibility.

3. Supports Language Development**

* Talking to the doll, pretending to be a caregiver, or narrating play helps children **expand vocabulary** and practice sentence structure.

* If they're playing with others, they learn to **take turns, listen, and negotiate.**

4. Encourages Independence and Imitation**

* At 4, kids love to imitate adult behavior—especially caregiving roles they see at home or daycare.

* A realistic baby lets them **“practice” being grown-ups** in a safe, imaginary setting.

* It can even help with transitions, like preparing for a new sibling.

5. Builds Fine Motor Skills**

* Dressing the doll, fastening snaps, brushing its hair, or feeding it with small toy accessories helps develop **dexterity** and **coordination**.

It’s not that a 4-year-old *must* have a realistic doll, but for kids drawn to nurturing play, a lifelike baby can enrich their play and development in meaningful ways. It mimics real caregiving scenarios, which helps them grow emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

20 students impacted 2 donors

Project tagged as

Columbus, OH
Grades PreK-2
Health & Wellness
Social Emotional Learning
Traditional School
Educational Kits & Games
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Mrs. Anderson Eakin Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Columbus, OH View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

20 students impacted 2donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

TERABITHIA 20 Inches African American Reborn Baby Doll with Soft Weighted Body Feel Real Sweet Smiling Dark Brown Skin Newborn Realistic Girl Doll, A Moment in My Arms, Forever in My Heart • Amazon Business $42.04 1 $42.04

SCOM Reborn Baby Dolls Black Girl - 20 Inch African American Realistic Newborn Girl Doll, Lifelike Weighted Soft Body, Christmas Birthday Gift for Kids Age 3+ • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99

Materials cost			$166.11
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$2.49
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$198.60
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$35.05
Total project goal			$233.65
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$233.65
1 Donor			-$116.82
Donations toward project cost			-$99.30
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$17.52
match offer			-$116.82
Match offer toward project cost			-$99.30
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$17.52
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Anderson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Realistic Doll Babies Are Beneficial

This project is fully funded

My Project

Equity Focus

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.