Children at Play: Using Waldorf Principles to Foster Childhood Development [Paperback]

Heidi Britz-Crecelius (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

Imaginative play is more vital for a child's future than many parents and educators realize. The more they are allowed to be absorbed in their play, the more fully and effectively they will later take their place in the community of adults.

Drawing on her experiences as a mother and as a proponent of Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf system of education, author Heidi Britz-Crecelius emphasizes the different qualities of play that may extend through more than one phase of childhood. She focuses on natural materials and recommends specific games, toys, and art supplies that further the mobility of the mind and the powers of expression without the burden that premature schooling can place on children.

In Children at Play, the author also reminds us that the human being, though bound by laws of space and time and tied to the earth, stems from eternity and belongs to a much larger community; the child's innermost being is directly related to the all-embracing world of spirit.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An insightful exploration into the world of children's play and its tremendous significance for the shaping of each child's humanity. This book is a great support for parents, playgroup leaders, teachers, and caregivers."
(Susan Howard, Waldorf Institute )

About the Author

German-born Heidi Britz-Crecelius worked on the city council of Völklingen for more than fifteen years, concerning herself primarily with facilities for children. A strong supporter of Steiner's principles, she has three sons who have attended Waldorf schools.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892816295
• ISBN-13: 978-0892816293
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really quite thought provoking..., August 11, 2001

By 

Laurie (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children at Play: Using Waldorf Principles to Foster Childhood Development (Paperback)

all parents should read this and do what they can to foster real play in their children. This book makes me realize just how many plastic toys my daughter has in her room, how stain-free her clothes are because she doesn't like to get dirty, and how much she is missing because of all of that. She needs to get outside more, fly more kites (read the book, then you'll know about kites!), dig more dirt, bring home more bugs and animals and make up her own rules and her own games. Many well-intentioned parents (myself among them) are doing more harm than good to their kids by 'teaching' them how to play, enrolling them in organized activities, keeping them away from 'germs', and filling their rooms with stereotyped plastic toys. Yikes! What are we doing? I am so very glad I bought this book, and if anything I have said in this review strikes a chord with you, then please buy a copy for yourself. I know you won't be disappointed. You'll be inspired. (If you like this book, check out "A Day in the Garden" by Bettina Steitencron -- it is a wordless picture book favorite of ours!)

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mother of three little girls, August 16, 2005

By 

rise above "gridless" (phx az) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children at Play: Using Waldorf Principles to Foster Childhood Development (Paperback)

i checked out and read the older edition of this book titled 'children at play, preparation for life', and i found it quite touching. the author speaks alot of her experience growing up in post war germany. the information she gives was like talking to the grandmother i never had. i admit to wet eyes a few times.... i could imagine what a child's play life was like before our t.v. babysitting days and logoed toys eliminated much of our creativity. she discusses how children get what they need from simple things that are part of our natural surroundings and our lives. she explains how through play, children can deal with the different aspects of becoming a human being.
alot of what she explained is typical steiner/waldorf philosophy, which is beautiful if you want to take the time to understand it properly, (and btw the philosophy certainly won't hurt you if you don't want to take that time).
it is a simple, flowing, and instinctual philosophy that is truly empowering and peaceful. i thought this book was really precious and i will buy it to add to my library, future gifts for my own daughters.

51 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Waldorfians, March 12, 2002

By 

BB The Mama (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children at Play: Using Waldorf Principles to Foster Childhood Development (Paperback)

I have dusted the cobwebs off of so many forgotten childhood memories since reading this book. This book has also been excellent for encouraging me to play more imaginatively with my kids. Children At Play is an unexpected life altering book.