Give the Doll a Bath

1. 1

   During your child’s bath, describe the usual sequence as you do it: “First we wash your hair. Close your eyes—now we rinse out the bubbles.”

2. 2

   Once the sequence is familiar, invite your child to give a doll a pretend bath.

3. 3

   Let your child lead and use the steps they remember from beginning to end.

4. 4

   If the order gets mixed up—for example, they reach for the towel while the doll still has bubbles—point to what is visible: “There are still bubbles on the doll’s head. What comes before drying?”

5. 5

   If your child cannot recall the next step, connect it to the real routine: “What do we use after rinsing? We dry with a towel, and then we comb your hair.”

6. 6

   Keep your prompts in the same order as your child’s usual bath so the pretend play reinforces a familiar sequence.

What to notice

• Bathes the doll by following their own bathing routine Memory
• Bathes the doll independently by making foam and wiping its body Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Tips

• Offer familiar pretend-bath items, such as a small basin, washcloth, towel, comb, toothbrush, and an empty bottle for pretend body wash.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Giving a doll a pretend bath asks your child to recall their own bath routine, organize its steps, and apply that memory in a new play situation.
• Movement: Scrubbing, rinsing, and combing during pretend doll care gives your child practice coordinating the hands through familiar self-care actions.