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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. Read More Toys children play with can have an effect on their success in adulthood The best exclusive discount codes this payday Many parents of under 5s on less than £50k ‘quit work due to childcare costs’ – survey

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Max Verstappen finished fastest in a rain-hit final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen completed his speediest time in the early minutes before it started drizzling at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. The double world champion finished two tenths clear of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton third, four tenths back. Hamilton completed only eight laps as he elected not to run in the slippery conditions, despite the chance qualifying – which takes place at 4pm local time (3pm BST) – could also be disrupted by showers. Behind Hamilton, Carlos Sainz finished fourth for Ferrari, one place ahead of his countryman Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin. George Russell finished sixth for Mercedes. The one-hour running was suspended for nine minutes after Logan Sargeant crashed out. Sargeant lost control of his Williams through the high-speed final corner, before sliding into the gravel and grazing the wall. Verstappen will head into qualifying having finished fastest in all three sessions as he bids to extend his 39-point championship lead over team-mate Perez. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

At the start of the pandemic, when the world was thrown into a state of turmoil and uncertainty, Keadian Russ — like so many others — had to put her life and livelihood on pause. Her cleaning business had come to a shuddering halt, and there was no idea of when lockdown restrictions would ease. So, she pivoted. The Jamaican native, New York-based entrepreneur prided herself in formulating effective, all-natural cleaning products that her clients absolutely loved — and she decided to turn that into a new business: K-SOL.

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Greta Gerwig's hotly anticipated Barbie is just around the corner, and fans are already ecstatic to watch Margot Robbie in action as the iconic doll. The film has already secured an impressive 89 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes with days to spare until its 21 July drop, as fans gear up to purchase cinema tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. But now, there's an even better way to watch Barbie, and it involves an immersive rooftop setting inspired by Miami Beach. Depot Mayfield in Manchester has undergone an incredible transformation for their summer screenings, complete with sand, sunshine and signature cocktails at the Flamingo Beach Bar. It comes after Backyard Cinema's success in London and Manchester last winter, prompting founder Dominic Davies to return for a summer filled with iconic specials, old and new. Barbie is among the showings, with dates from July through to August. There's also Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, as well as Dirty Dancing, Grease, Back to the Future, The Little Mermaid (Remake), Top Gun Maverick, Mean Girls and Pulp Fiction and many more. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Miami Beach will also host recurring Dirty Dancing Beach Parties every Friday night, at which guests will have the "Time of their lives" dancing along to the film’s famous soundtrack, along with special surprises designed to further immerse them in the world of the film. "It is clear that people just can’t get enough of Barbie. Since releasing dates for our 'Barbie on the Beach' screenings we sold out over six dates in 24 hours and have had to add extra dates throughout August to meet demand," Dominic Davies, Founder and CEO of Backyard Cinema told Indy100. He continued: "While it might not be Malibu Beach, we are certainly bringing all things Barbiecore to our very own Miami Beach rooftop in Manchester, including a chance to take your photo inside a Barbie box. Sand, sunshine and signature palm tree cocktails - what more could you want?!" For more information on bookings and other events, click here. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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