My 4 y.o. dd got a wooden dollhouse with the chunky wooden Ryan's Room furniture about a year ago. She seldom plays with it- we have moved it from bedroom to family room to playroom and from a low table to the floor, and she still doesn't show much interest. I also have stored my childhood dollhouse- a Lundy house with lots of very realistic plastic furniture and little accessories.
I am trying to figure out whether dd is too young for her chunky wood dollhouse, too old, or just not into it. I have searched prior threads and it seems like some kids play with these intensely from age 3 on, others not until 6 or 7. Basically, I'm trying to figure out whether to stick with the wood dollhouse, move onto the plastic one, or put them both away for awhile (I really don't have the space to have both of them out). dd has really good fine motor skills and does a lot of "family play" with her stuffed animals, so it seems like there is at least a potential for interest in dollhouse play.
A similar question re doll play. When do girls typically move on from baby dolls to "older" looking dolls, like the American Girl dolls? I would think it is not until they are in grade school, but on the other hand I have an 8 y.o. ds and it seems like all the girls his age stopped playing with dolls years ago. (I know some preschoolers/early grade schoolers are into Barbie- dd has been given 2 Barbies as gifts and shows no interest in these.)
I was really into dolls and dollhouse play as a kid (as were my mother, her mother, etc.). Maybe dd just isn't interested in this stuff. But I also feel like maybe I am pushing it too early or waiting too long or something! Thanks for any insights!
I am trying to figure out whether dd is too young for her chunky wood dollhouse, too old, or just not into it. I have searched prior threads and it seems like some kids play with these intensely from age 3 on, others not until 6 or 7. Basically, I'm trying to figure out whether to stick with the wood dollhouse, move onto the plastic one, or put them both away for awhile (I really don't have the space to have both of them out). dd has really good fine motor skills and does a lot of "family play" with her stuffed animals, so it seems like there is at least a potential for interest in dollhouse play.
A similar question re doll play. When do girls typically move on from baby dolls to "older" looking dolls, like the American Girl dolls? I would think it is not until they are in grade school, but on the other hand I have an 8 y.o. ds and it seems like all the girls his age stopped playing with dolls years ago. (I know some preschoolers/early grade schoolers are into Barbie- dd has been given 2 Barbies as gifts and shows no interest in these.)
I was really into dolls and dollhouse play as a kid (as were my mother, her mother, etc.). Maybe dd just isn't interested in this stuff. But I also feel like maybe I am pushing it too early or waiting too long or something! Thanks for any insights!
