Barbie club teaching children positive messages

Beatrix, Clara, Ava, Orlagh and Nora Rose (pictured left to right) said they were enjoying the new club

A primary school has started a Barbie-themed after-school club and has had to set up a waiting list for places because of its popularity.

Teaching assistant Claudia Bradbury at Newport Infant School in Shropshire came up with the idea and said she wanted to use the dolls to teach the children they "can do anything" and about equality.

She grew up with a love of the dolls and said she wanted to "throw a little bit of sparkle in there as well".

Parents have said it has improved their children's confidence and social skills.

Ms Bradbury said the idea came to her after staff were invited to come up with ideas for after-school clubs.

She described herself as a "big Barbie advocate" who had grown up loving them when "it maybe wasn't cool to like Barbie".

Since becoming an adult she said she had rediscovered her love for them and thought they could be used to pass on positive messages.

"She's had so many careers, she can be anything and it proves to us and teaches us from an early age that we can do anything as well," she said.

Claudia Bradbury said Barbie was all about friendship, having fun, being creative and being able to do anything

Ms Bradbury said she wanted to help the children become more confident communicators, to learn to take turns and that it was about "just embracing everybody's uniqueness".

She said she also wanted to teach the children about things like feminism from a young age.

The club started after the school asked for suggestions

The club, which is held every Monday, is into its second week and Ms Bradbury has been appealing for donations of unwanted Barbies and Action Men.

Six-year-old Clara is one of the members of Barbie club and said she enjoyed helping "younger children learn more about Barbies".

Ava, seven, said: "It's really exciting because lots of young children love Barbies and they can come here and play with all their friends after school."

One parent, Steph, said she thought it had been "absolutely fantastic" for her Barbie-loving daughter.

She had been "struggling socially", she said, and the group was helping her build confidence.

Another mum, Becky, said her daughter was learning to express herself through her appearance.

"Her personality is coming through even more now, which is really nice to see," she added.