I didn’t fully understand the importance of role models until my daughter started pointing at women and characters she admired and saying, “I want to be like her.” It showed me how early kids begin forming ideas about identity, confidence, and what feels possible for themselves. The Importance of Role Models Starts in Childhood Role models help shape how children see themselves and what they believe is possible. When kids see people they admire, whether in real life, books, media, or inclusive toys, they begin to imagine themselves in those roles too. That’s especially important during childhood, when self-belief is still forming. Parents, teachers, athletes, public figures, and even fictional characters can all help expand a child’s sense of possibility. Role models help answer the quiet questions kids are always asking: Who can I be? What’s possible for me? As a mom, I started noticing how my daughter reacted when she saw Asian women in the spotlight, whether it was an Olympic athlete on TV or a celebrity on a magazine cover. She asked more questions. She saw herself in the story. Why Representation Matters in Childhood Development I can tell my daughter she can become anything. But it hits differently when she sees someone who looks like her doing it. Representation helps bridge that gap. It turns encouragement into something real and believable. As Marian Wright Edelman said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” For many children, something as simple as dolls that look like me, dolls with representation, can reinforce a sense of belonging and identity. How Inclusive Dolls Can Help Shape a Child’s Identity, Confidence, and Sense of Possibility A lot of identity-building happens during play. Dolls are often a child’s first best friend, joining them in the stories they tell about who they are and who they might become. That’s a big part of why I created Jilly Bing and friends. I wanted children to see themselves reflected in the toys they love, and to grow up believing the possibilities for their lives are endless. When kids feel seen in play, it shapes what feels normal, possible, and achievable for them. And when those toys reflect them, those stories feel more personal, more real, and more empowering. This is where children begin to feel seen in their everyday play. It shapes what children believe is normal, possible, and achievable for themselves. The Story Behind Our Michelle Yeoh Inspired Doll Earlier this year, I created a custom doll inspired by Michelle Yeoh. She was my role model growing up. I watched her on Cantonese VHS tapes with my mom. I learned Cantonese by watching her, and I learned what it meant to see someone who looked like me kicking down doors.Her Oscar win felt like everything. Not just because she won, but because of what it represented. Michelle embodies strength, elegance, and a version of success that many Asian American children still rarely see reflected in themselves. It took six months, working closely with my mom and nearly gluing our fingers together while assembling tiny accessories. And then, after nearly two years of trying to get the doll to her, we finally brought it to her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony without even knowing if we’d succeed. In a last-minute twist, legendary producer and former Head of the Academy, Janet Yang, helped pass the doll to her during the event. Michelle’s reaction to the doll: “Wow, I have my own doll now!” was a full-circle moment for the little girl in me. And a big reminder that you’re never too old for representation. Representation in Toys Matters That experience reinforced something we’ve always believed: Role models aren’t just nice to have for kids. They help shape identity, self-worth, and the way children see their future. And toys are one of the earliest ways children interact with those ideas. This is exactly why we created Jilly Bing Asian American dolls. To give kids characters they can see themselves in, especially during the everyday moments where confidence is quietly built. Jilly doll Riley doll Frequently Asked Questions What is a good role model for a child? A good role model is someone who demonstrates values children can learn from, such as kindness, perseverance, empathy, and confidence. Children often look up to parents, teachers, athletes, artists, and community leaders who inspire them through both words and actions. Positive examples of role models help children understand what healthy relationships, self-respect, and resilience look like in everyday life. What are the impacts of role models on children's behaviour? Role models can influence how children communicate, solve problems, and view their own potential. When children regularly see positive behaviour modeled around them, they are more likely to develop empathy, emotional confidence, and healthy social skills. Representation also matters because seeing people who look like them succeed can help children feel included and capable of achieving their own goals. How can adults be effective role models for children? Adults become effective role models through consistency in everyday behaviour. Children pay attention to how adults respond to stress, treat others, and handle mistakes. Showing patience, honesty, accountability, and self-confidence teaches children important life skills through observation. Even small daily interactions can shape how children build confidence and understand themselves over time. Final Thoughts: How Confidence Is Built Over Time Confidence doesn’t come from one big moment. It’s built slowly through what kids see, who they admire, and the stories they tell themselves along the way.That’s why representation matters, whether it’s in books, media, or the toys they play with every day. Because sometimes, something as simple as a doll can become part of how a child learns to believe in themselves.
