American Girl founder Pleasant Rowland, was a teacher and textbook author. While on a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, she had the idea to write books from a girl’s perspective. When she paired those books with corresponding dolls and accessories, she created American Girl®. These collections continue to inspire girls, creating the opportunity to take a story and transpose it into play.
Parents often think of educational toys as flashcards, puzzles, or STEM toys. And those certainly have their place. But story-based play develops a different set of skills.
As children read stories, such as the ones that come with an American Girl doll, they build vocabulary. Retelling what they’ve read strengthens communication skills and evolving the story develops their narrative abilities. They're discovering that stories aren't just something to read—they're something to build upon.
When girls connect with a favorite doll and her story, reading becomes personal. A girl may identify with a character, play with ideas from the story, and build a world beyond the page. Maybe she’s walking down the streets of Harlem with Claudie. Going to Camp Gowonagin with Daisy. Practicing the hula on the shores of O’ahu with Nanea. She then builds what happens next.
Incorporating reading into play isn’t just for established readers. Research shows that when toddlers hear stories, they then mirror what they hear. In addition, these early stories develop many of the foundational skills for reading success, grow a child’s vocabulary, and create a love of reading. A WellieWishers story may make her want to play outside in the garden. And early stories about historical characters through the My First collection may lead to reading the full novels when she gets older.
If you’re looking for new ways to encourage reading, imagination, and meaningful play, explore American Girl's collection of dolls and books. Reading a chapter together can lead to so many ways to play. One of the greatest gifts stories give children is permission to tell their own. After reading about a character, ask your girl, “What do you think is going to happen next?” Or, have her come up with a new scenario by prompting, “If you were in that story, where would you go?” These prompts encourage girls to own the story, which in turn can build her confidence.
Try encouraging your girl to:
• Write the next chapter of her doll's adventure.
• Interview her favorite character.
• Put on a puppet or doll show inspired by a favorite book.
• Create a journal from her doll's point of view.
• Design a new setting for the next adventure.
These simple activities extend reading into imaginative play—and imaginative play right back into reading.
Looking for new ways to encourage reading, imagination, and meaningful play? Explore American Girl's collection of dolls that invite girls into the story!
Imaginative play helps children bring stories to life. After reading, girls often continue a character's adventure through play, practicing new vocabulary, retelling events, and creating their own storylines. These activities strengthen reading comprehension and communication skills while encouraging a lifelong love of books.
Playing with dolls encourages girls to talk, listen, and tell stories. As they create conversations, describe characters' feelings, and imagine new adventures, they naturally practice vocabulary, storytelling, and self-expression. Reading a doll's accompanying book and then acting out scenes together can further strengthen early literacy and communication skills.
Books inspire play by introducing memorable characters, settings, and adventures that children can continue long after the last page. When girls re-create favorite scenes or imagine what happens next with dolls and accessories, they deepen reading comprehension, strengthen storytelling skills, and build creativity. Together, books and toys turn reading into an interactive, meaningful learning experience.
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