Personal Companionship Relationships

At 20 months (approximately 88 weeks), the foundation for 'Personal Companionship Relationships' is built upon the development of empathy, nurturing behaviors, prosocial skills, and the ability to engage in imaginative play that mirrors social interactions. A 20-month-old is actively observing and imitating the relationships around them, and beginning to understand the concept of caring for others. The primary tool selected, a high-quality, anatomically correct baby doll, is paramount because it provides a tangible, safe, and engaging 'companion' for the child to practice these emerging relational skills.

This doll allows for deep, imaginative role-play where the child can be the caregiver, friend, or older sibling, fostering empathy, emotional understanding (by projecting emotions onto the doll), and a sense of responsibility. It encourages the child to mimic comforting gestures, share attention, and engage in simple narratives, all of which are precursors to forming complex companionship bonds with real people. The inclusion of diverse dolls also subtly introduces concepts of inclusion and understanding of others from an early age.

Implementation Protocol for a 20-month-old:

1. Introduction as a 'Friend': Introduce the doll as a 'baby' or 'friend' that needs care and companionship. Model gentle handling and nurturing behaviors (e.g., 'Let's give baby a hug,' 'Baby looks sleepy').
2. Parallel Play & Modeling: Initially, the child may engage in parallel play, playing alongside the doll rather than directly with it in a reciprocal manner. The adult should model interactive play: feeding the doll, changing its diaper, comforting it, talking to it, and inviting the child to participate ('Can you pat baby's back?').
3. Encourage Nurturing Play: Provide simple props (blanket, bottle, small plate – included as extras) and encourage the child to feed, rock, or comfort the doll. Narrate their actions ('You're being so kind to baby!') to reinforce prosocial behaviors.
4. Emotional Literacy: Use the doll to discuss simple emotions. 'Baby looks sad, maybe a hug will help?' or 'Baby is happy because you're playing together!' This helps the child connect actions with emotional outcomes.
5. Turn-Taking and Sharing (Precursor): While the doll doesn't 'take turns' in the human sense, the adult can model turn-taking in play by alternating who 'cares' for the doll. 'Now Mommy feeds baby, then you can rock baby.'
6. Integration into Daily Routines: Include the doll in daily activities. 'Baby is coming with us to the park!' or 'Time for baby to eat with us.' This makes the companionship concept more concrete and integrated into the child's world.
7. Respect Child's Pace: Some children will immediately embrace doll play, while others may take time. Follow the child's lead, offering invitations to play without forcing interaction. The goal is exposure and modeling.