Kimochi Dolls

Hilary and Cloud- Her Kimochi Doll!

---

I wanted to write a quick ‘interim blog’ while some busy little people work on my site to make it bigger and better. I have been reduced to tapping this out in word but whatever, as long as it gets to you guys!! (Edit: Woohoo, I can finally post this to my blog!)

For Hilary’s second birthday a family friend gave her a Kimochi Doll. It is, to say the very, very least, absolutely fantastic! I recommend that if ever you either come across one or have the money to splurge on one they are well worth it!

What on Earth is a Kimochi Doll?

It is a Japanese creation (Kimochi meaning feelings in Japanese) that aims to provide children with a way of positively expressing their emotions. Through the use of a main doll and three smaller ‘Kimochi’s’ the child is encouraged to, when experiencing an emotion, say anger, to identify his/her feeling by placing the angry Kimochi in the pouch of the main doll. The parent then has the opportunity to, depending on the child’s level of understanding, talk and encourage the child to deal with the emotion positively. For anger, it may be to sit in his/her favourite spot and do some silly breathing exercises. 

How will this help my child?

Children, like adults, experience all kinds of emotions. The only difference being that children don’t always have the language to inform an adult of their feelings and often don’t fully comprehend what it is they are feeling and how to process it. Kimochi dolls are there to give the child a voice and help the parent/ teacher/ counsellor/ caregiver an idea of what exactly is happening. By using the Kimochi doll with your child you will be opening up the dialogue between the two of you so that your child will learn that it is ok to feel angry, scared or shy and will give you an opportunity to share with them some ways of coping with what it is they are feeling.

Example, please!?

Hilary is really scared of loud noises and unfortunately we live right near both the fire and ambulance station so whenever one of the sirens start up Hilary literally drops whatever she is doing and runs to me with fear and panic plastered across her tiny, little face. Having the Kimochi doll has really helped because, whilst our Kimochi, Cloud, doesn’t have a “scared” mini-doll, having Cloud there, and Hilary knowing what she is all about, has opened up a forum for us to talk about how she is feeling and how to cope with it. I’ve made up my own mini Kimochi for the “scared” feeling as it is vital for Hilary. But I digress, Hilary gets cloud when she is scared, hugs her and that is my cue to gently promote the idea of a coping mechanism, for Hilary it has been standing at the gate with mummy and waving as the nice fireman or paramedic drives by to help the people who are in trouble. 

 Have you got a child with Autism or Developmental Delays?

If so, Kimochi dolls could be a great comfort not only to you but to your child. Studies have shown that children with Autism or Developmental Delays respond well to Kimochi dolls and the idea of being able to express themselves when otherwise they have limited means of doing so. 

I love Hilary’s Kimochi Doll, in the land of parenting it is fantastic, but in the land of single parenting it is damn near awesome! Single parents will back me up when I say we hold tight to anything that will ensure our child/ children have some form of normality to their lives and when there is only one of you to decipher the crazy screams and cries of an emotional child a Kimochi doll could be the difference between a day spent with a grumpy, whingey child or a moment the two of you can bond and your child can learn, with love, how to deal. 
 
Want to find out some more? Head on over to the Kimochi’s official website by cliking here, maybe even start whittling away some money and buy Kimochi doll’s for your little angels for Christmas- it’s a valuable investment in your child!

Until Next Time,

Soul Mum :)