At Autism Little Learners, we know how powerful play can be—especially when it comes to building language, social, and problem-solving skills. That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Sophia Dumery, Senior Vice President of Design at Melissa & Doug®. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into designing toys that are safe, durable, and inspire real learning, this conversation is for you. Sophia shares how Melissa and Doug toys are created with open-ended play, inclusivity, and child development in mind—making them a favorite for parents, educators, and therapists around the world.
Getting to Know Sophia
Tara: Sophia, thank you so much for joining me today! Our listeners are always curious about the people behind their favorite toys. Can you start by telling us a little about your background and how you came to Melissa & Doug?
Sophia: Thank you, Tara. I’m thrilled to be here. Believe it or not, I actually started out as a houseware designer. I didn’t plan to go into toys, but when the opportunity came along, I just fell in love with it. I’ve now been with Melissa and Doug for almost 15 years, and I can honestly say it’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. Designing toys that spark creativity, support development, and bring families together—it’s such a gift.
Tara: I love that! It really shows how passion finds you sometimes.
Why Open-Ended Play Matters
Tara: One of the things I’ve always admired about Melissa & Doug toys is how open-ended they are. They don’t come with one set of rules—you can play with them in so many different ways. Was that always part of the company’s philosophy?
Sophia: Yes, absolutely. Open-ended play has always been at the core of what we do. A toy that can only be used one way limits imagination. But when a toy is open-ended, children are free to explore, pretend, and create their own stories. That’s when real learning happens.
Tara: And as an educator, I’ve seen that firsthand. For autistic children, open-ended play can create natural opportunities for practicing language skills, social interaction, and even problem-solving. For example, a pretend food set isn’t just about “cooking.” It might spark a conversation about what’s for dinner, or encourage turn-taking in a restaurant role-play game.
Sophia: Exactly! And what’s beautiful is that the same toy grows with the child. A toddler might use the food set for simple naming, while a preschooler might use it to act out more complex stories.
Spotlight: The Dentist Kit Toy
Sophia: One toy that we hear about all the time is our dentist kit. Parents and therapists often tell us how they’ve used it to ease children’s anxiety about real dental visits. One mom shared that her child used to feel terrified before appointments—the sounds, the tools, the whole experience was overwhelming. But when they started practicing with the dentist kit at home, everything changed.
Tara: I love that example. In my classroom, I’ve seen autistic children really benefit from that kind of pretend play. Being able to “practice” the steps of a dentist visit—touching the tools, role-playing both dentist and patient, and talking about what will happen—can take away so much fear. By the time the real appointment comes, it feels familiar instead of scary.
Sophia: Exactly. That’s what we hope for. Our toys aren’t just about fun—they’re about helping children prepare for the world around them in a safe, playful way.
Safety, Durability, and Inclusivity
Tara: Another thing people always comment on is how durable Melissa & Doug toys are. They just last.
Sophia: That’s very intentional. We want families and schools to be able to enjoy our toys for years, not just a season. But just as important as durability are safety and inclusivity. Every toy goes through extensive safety testing. We also collaborate with experts, like occupational therapists, to make sure our toys can support children of all abilities.
Tara: That’s so important. And I’ve noticed how realistic many of your preschool toys are. Things like the doctor kit or the cleaning set—kids can really connect with them.
Sophia: Yes! Realism helps children feel confident. When a child plays with a toy doctor kit, they’re not just pretending—they’re preparing for a real-life situation. That can be especially helpful for children who might feel anxious about doctor or dentist visits.
Toys as Tools in Unexpected Places
Tara: Do you hear from families or educators about the creative ways they use your toys?
Sophia: All the time! Therapists will tell us how they use puzzles or pretend play sets to work on communication goals. Parents share stories about how the dentist kit helped their child overcome fears about real appointments. Educators love that the toys open the door to both group play and individual learning moments. Those stories remind us why this work matters.
Tara: I love that. Toys aren’t just toys—they’re tools for growth, confidence, and connection.
Why Families, Teachers, and Therapists Love Them
Tara: It’s clear why parents and teachers trust Melissa and Doug. These toys are fun, yes, but they also serve a real purpose.
Sophia: That’s exactly what we hope for. Play should be joyful, but it can also be deeply meaningful. With puzzles, kids are building fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. With pretend play, they’re practicing language, building social connections, and even working through real-world experiences in a safe, fun way.
Tara: And I think that’s what makes Melissa & Doug so special. You’ve managed to create toys that combine fun with function.
Sophia: Thank you—that’s always our goal!
Closing Thoughts
Tara: Sophia, thank you so much for joining me today. This conversation has given us such a deeper look into the heart behind Melissa and Doug toys.
Sophia: Thank you, Tara. It was a joy to share. We’re so passionate about creating toys that inspire creativity, support development, and bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Tara: And for our readers and listeners, I hope this conversation encourages you to see play in a new way. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, toys really can be powerful tools for connection and learning. And if you’re looking for preschool toys that are durable, safe, and designed with purpose, Melissa & Doug is a wonderful place to start.
Listen to this podcast Episode #141
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Autistic Play is Authentic Play
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