Teaching Respect for Diversity with Miniland Dolls

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Miniland is known as the world’s most inclusive dolls’ brand with its emphasis on racial diversity and social harmony. 

Catch these beautiful Miniland Dolls with Down syndrome. Miniland is known as the world’s most inclusive dolls’ brand with its emphasis on racial diversity and social harmony. Their line-up includes Asian, Caucasian, African, Latin American and new indigenous Australian dolls, which not only give many children the opportunity to play with dolls that look like them for the first time, but also teach all children the importance of respect for diversity and inclusion from a young age. And now Miniland has added a new range – Dolls with Down syndrome - to carry on the conversation around diversity and respect.

While Miniland Dolls are made in Spain, the initiative for these new dolls came from Australia. Axis Toys, the distributor of the brand in Australia and New Zealand was the driver for the development of this wonderful range.

Axis Toys Co-Founder Paula Opfer explains that developing a Down Syndrome Doll range with Miniland has been a long-time ambition. “Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of Miniland and inclusion means not only embracing different ethnicities and cultures from all over the world but also embracing those with differing needs,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this new line up and the fact that they have already found a home, not only with families with kids who have Down syndrome but also with all Australian families where diversity is respected and celebrated is truly heart-warming.”

The Miniland Dolls with Down syndrome range comprises: an anatomically correct 38cm Caucasian Baby Boy and Girl with Down syndrome and a 38cm anatomically correct African Baby Girl and Boy with Down syndrome. These new Miniland Dolls with Down syndrome, have won awards already including Best Toy of the Year 2020 in Spain from the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers, (AEFJ) in a competition that is considered one of the most prestigious in the toy industry both in Spain and internationally.

March 21st is Down Syndrome Day.

There is even more interest in them at the moment as we are coming up to World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on March 21st, a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. People with Down syndrome have an inherent right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of the community and today we celebrate not only their rights but their achievements. 

The Role of Dolls in Early Social and Emotional Learning

Dolls – for both girls and boys - are a really valuable tool in a child’s learning journey and none are better placed to aid a child than Miniland’s anatomically-correct Miniland Dolls. They help enhance social and cognitive abilities and creativity through play while being perfectly placed to help children understand that they belong in this world as does everyone else. Available in a collection of ethnicities and genders and needs, Miniland Dolls represent the beauty of our differences, respecting all, no matter their race, sex, or condition. By promoting inclusivity and acceptance, identifying emotions, and respecting the feelings of others; all through the fun and value of play, Miniland Dolls play a vital role in a child’s development.

To find out more about Miniland Dolls including where you can buy them, head to the Axis Toys website: https://axistoys.com/stockists

For further information please go to https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/

Would you like to win this new range of Miniland Dolls with Down syndrome comprising all four dolls? Head to the Playgroup SA Facebook and Instagram pages to enter! 
Competition closes Wednesday 21st of March.

Image credits: @jazzy_designer_genes_rock , @jillys_mummastyle & @b_is_for_bailey_