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The Importance of Fantasy Play (and Another Giveaway!)

Today, I’d like to introduce you to another of my favorite bloggers. Amanda Morgan is an early childhood educator and the author of Not Just Cute on which she writes about child development and early childhood education. While Amanda is not a Waldorf teacher, she recognizes many of the important elements of early childhood education that we Waldorf teachers do, specifically the importance of free, unstructured play for young children and the importance of their sensory experiences.

Amanda is a graduate of Utah State University who holds a BA in both elementary and early childhood education and an MS in childhood development.  She has a wealth of experience in classrooms ranging from preschool to sixth grade and has taught in private, public, and migrant schools.  In addition, she currently teaches preschoolers and works as a consultant and trainer for a non-profit children’s organization.

This week at Not Just Cute, Amanda has been writing about the importance of fantasy play for children. I urge you to take a few minutes and read her wonderful and valuable musings on this theme:

Enchanted Learning: The Benefits of Fantasy Play for Children

A Part of Their World: Adult Roles in Child’s Play

Magic Words for Guiding Behavior: “Let’s Pretend”

In connection with her series on fantasy play, Amanda approached me about partnering with her to offer a Giveaway on her blog. Naturally, I was delighted! We decided to offer one lucky reader their choice of either a Princess Dress ($72.95 value) or Knight’s Costume ($31.95 value) from Sarah’s Silks; and another lucky reader will win a pair of Play Silks ($23.90 value) from Sarah’s Silks! Children’s costumes and dress up invite the kind of imaginative fantasy play  that Amanda and I both feel is so important for children, and play silks are perhaps my very favorite Waldorf toys to encourage open-ended play and engage the imagination.

Knight's Costume from Sarah's SilksSarah's Silks

To enter, visit Imaginative Play Giveaway for details. While you’re there, be sure to read Amanda’s posts on Fantasy Play and have fun poking around. Then come back here, leave a comment, and let me know what you think!

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45 Comments

  • Reply liz July 9, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    My two princesses LOVE to dress up and would go crazy over this costume.

  • Reply Janelle July 9, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I love how your products encourage imaginative play.

    • Reply China January 24, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      Great tihiknng! That really breaks the mold!

  • Reply Nina July 9, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I love the knight. I’m really lucky, my son is only 2.5 and has a great imagination. In one of your earlier posts you said children start imaginative play around age 4…not mine. in fact, that sounds old to me for most kids.

  • Reply Barbara Houck July 9, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    That princess costume would be perfect for my princess! 🙂

  • Reply Barbara Houck July 9, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    Already was a fan of Bella Luna Toys on facebook, but I also just “liked” Sarah’s silks too, so hopefully that means we are also entered into the play silks giveaway!

  • Reply Christina July 9, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    What a great giveaway! I liked Sarah’s Silks on FB and am already a fan of Bella Luna 🙂 Thanks!! We would LOVE the princess costume or the silks!

  • Reply erin rae July 9, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    Another lovely giveaway! Thanks for introducing me to Amanda’s blog. With an almost 2 year old who is starting to love dressing up and pretend, I’m trying to get more inspiring clothing and accessories to play with.

  • Reply Melanie July 9, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    Thank you for another opportunity for a wonderful giveaway! My boys would love the knight costume or playsilks!

  • Reply HereWeGoAJen July 9, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    Oh, I so agree. I wrote my thesis on play therapy. Play is so important for development and it seems like so many parents are focused on “learning” now.

  • Reply Melissa Stringahm July 9, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    Love the costumes! My kids love “performing”, putting on plays and dance recitals. The costumes are always part of the fun.

  • Reply Kendra @ A Sonoma Garden July 9, 2010 at 1:35 pm

    What a great giveaway, my boys would love that knight costume!

  • Reply Amy Palmer July 9, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    thanks for the give a way. My kids love to play pretend, and it makes me happy watching them do that. 🙂

  • Reply rae July 9, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    ooh! great blog. thanks for the intro and the giveaway love. 😉

  • Reply Trisha July 9, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    What great costumes! We would love to add one of them to our collection (our collection consisting of one costume!).

  • Reply Kristina McBride July 9, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Sarah-

    Just wanted to let you know that I am thrilled to read your posts and learn of more resources for natural parenting and play. It’s nice to have another way of thinking of things. I often share these posts with other mommas in my family to give them another alternative to the mainstream ways of parenting. I am often questioned about the way that I parent, and these posts give me good backup and resources to share and educate them.

    Excited about the giveaway! Layna has enjoyed every single toy that I have purchased from Bella Luna Toys!

    Kristinae

  • Reply Lindsey July 9, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    My kids would love any and all of these give aways! We actually have the knight outfit, but after so much use, it could stand to be replaced.

  • Reply Jill July 9, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    What a perfect addition to our “make believe.” Please pick me!

  • Reply viviane July 9, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    thank you for this opportunity. play is very important part of our day. it’s so wonderful to have these soft and luxurious colors as part of our children’s expression. sarah’s silks are our favorite toys around here. would love the change to add more colors or one of these beautiful costumes. thank you, viviane

  • Reply Brie July 9, 2010 at 7:56 pm

    What beautiful dress up clothes!

  • Reply Monique July 9, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    What a wonderful giveaway! I would love the chance to win this for my son I’m homschooling and my dayhome children

  • Reply Hallie July 9, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    My girls love to dress up and pretend so I know they would love either the costume or the silks! What a great giveaway!

    I have a giveawa going on at my blog too!
    http://www.ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com

    Small but cute…

  • Reply Monique July 9, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    What a wonderful giveaway! I would love the chance to win this for my son I’m homschooling and my dayhome children
    I forgot to mention on my last comment I went to both facebook pages and liked them. Sorry for the double entry 🙁

  • Reply Joey Scherschel July 9, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    I own a child care facility and have a little one myself. My children would love either one of the dress-up outfits. Plus I would love to win it for them!!

  • Reply Veronica July 9, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Well, not sure how to approach this, but my first reaction is how great to see so many people respond. Then reality: that reduces my chances of winning an outfit! (however, if I end up lucky, I’m not choosy; have both a boy and a girl). But this does seem an excellent venue to voice an observation made this morning while dropping off my 4 yr old at Waldorf camp this morning: the teacher brings her 3 teenage and pre-teen children with her to help out on a daily basis. Where else would you find children and their mother interacting so respectfully of each other, being attentive to each other’s needs and carefully keeping young camp children in line? It’s been wonderful to witness over the past few days and this family has been a powerful inspiration to remind me that the teen years do not have to be this loathed time when indeed, a Waldorf-inspired home and education pays off and is worth pursuing in its goals on a daily basis.

  • Reply Cindi July 9, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    I wish I would have had one of these costumes when I was a child! The philosophy behind imaginative play and being creative is so true…My son wears costumes at home more than clothing!
    Thanks, Cindi

  • Reply Cindi July 9, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    I wish I would have had one of these costumes when I was a child! The philosophy behind imaginative play and being creative is so true…My son wears costumes at home more than clothing!
    Thanks, Cindi

    • Reply Fats January 24, 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Cool! That’s a cleevr way of looking at it!

  • Reply Anne July 9, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    We LOVE pretend play and costumes around here! Simple toys and games are the best, we are trying to remember that every day. Thanks for the chance 🙂

  • Reply Erin July 10, 2010 at 1:20 am

    I’m always looking for fun new things to add to my dramatic play area in my classroom! I have been following along on the “not just cute” blog and have been loving the suggestions, ideas, and reminders that have been in all the posts! Sometimes it takes reading one of her posts to remember what I learned in school and remember to APPLY it in my class!!! love, love, love it!

  • Reply Susan July 10, 2010 at 7:49 am

    My kids dump out boxes and baskets, and play with the containers instead of the contents.

  • Reply Jennifer July 10, 2010 at 10:45 am

    I have often heard of these products and this is a great opportunity! My daughter loves pretend play but we haven’t the funds to get something quite so elegant as these. Thank you for the chance to win them!

    • Reply Eternity January 24, 2012 at 11:03 pm

      This is what we need – an iisnght to make everyone think

  • Reply Michelle July 10, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    I’ve been following the Not Just Cute blog from the beginning, and am happy to find your site through Amanda’s. What beautiful costumes! My princesses would be thrilled to win one—thanks for the giveaway and the great blog!

  • Reply Heidi July 10, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    So happy to hear about another rockin blog to follow. Her blog is great and I look forward to checking in regularly. I have a little knight here who is without armor. ; )

    Thanks for the opportunity !

  • Reply Heidi July 10, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    So happy to hear about another rockin blog to follow. Her blog is great and I look forward to checking in regularly. I have a little knight here who is without armor. ; )

    Thanks for the opportunity !

  • Reply Susan July 11, 2010 at 12:25 am

    I have an aspiring knight and princess here who live in their own fantasy world when they play together. It is magical and healing.

  • Reply abigail g July 11, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    we love dress up and love to see our son’s imagination at work. he would love to get a real costume and really let his imagination soar.

  • Reply Staci A July 11, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    I love reading her blog, and was excited that she introduced me to your products! Your costumes look wonderful, and I’m sure inspire lots of play times!

  • Reply Kristen July 11, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    Thanks for a wonderful opportunity!

  • Reply Carla July 12, 2010 at 1:16 am

    What a generous giveaway! My daughter would adore that costume.

  • Reply Mariah July 12, 2010 at 6:02 am

    thanks for sharing your. wonderful toys with Not So Cute

    The costumes are wodnerful!

  • Reply merylgoofy August 30, 2011 at 2:30 am

    I just remember those days when mom would allow us to dig into the old chest box with old clothes of our grandpa. I saw a vest and a a cowboy hat. My big brother got his also. Me and my brother made a pact that when bandits will come along and if he will be captured I should always be the second in command though we only have each other. We imagine we are a company of cowboys. Great post mam.

  • Reply Lianekim September 8, 2011 at 5:48 am

    Such a good tips, t’s nice to have another way of thinking of things. I often share these posts with other mommas in my family to give them another alternative to the mainstream ways of parenting, Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply Sandy October 13, 2011 at 11:18 am

    I am often questioned about the way that I parent, and these posts give me good backup and resources to share and educate them.keep posting

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