As the creator of Just4Fun! Party Baskets, let me give a little background on its development.
I am a mother and an educator of many years and, after retiring, I am now an entrepreneur!
A Santa Fe resident for twenty years, and recently retired, I am excited to combine my teaching experience and knowledge of child development with my deeper understanding of kids as learners.
Watching my own child as well as many, many others grow and develop particularly as they played by themselves and with her friends, It’s how they learn about themselves, as well as how to collaborate with others. For me, watching kids play opened a window, not only into how they develop, but also gave a peek into their ideas, joys and worries.
The Just4Fun! baskets are designed to provide a theme that kiddos can jump into and create their own play world.
The activities, toys and books help them build ideas and stories, and even become a pretend character of that theme. That’s the fun part! It can be a new story and new character each time they play with a basket or share playtime with a friend.
My daughter, Ariana, at play! (1981)
"Celebrating birthdays was always a big deal when I was a kid.
Every year, my mom would put so much thought into coming up with creative games, fun favors and themed decorations that made everyone feel special and magical.
Years later (LOTS of years), I can still vividly remember so many of the parties and how excited I was about them."
Ariana Garber
Ariana and me today
“Play is the work of the child.” Maria Montessori
Frequently Asked Questions
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I loved to play when I was a child. I was always building things and making up stories in my head as I played. I watched my daughter Ariana do the same. For Ariana, I realized play was a vehicle for her to sort out the busy world around her, and she was always calmer and centered after a playtime. Play for children is practice for the future! Just4Fun! is designed to encourage that playtime.
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The logo is artwork that my daughter, Ariana, created when she was in Kindergarten. It was her self-portrait. She inspires me daily.
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Technology is essential in our lives, it is foolish to think otherwise. We as adults should be wise custodians of our children’s development by carefully blending their use of technology with more time for hands-on learning that will help their imaginations grow.
Let’s encourage and value time for kids to play without a screen script. Let’s give them opportunities to build their own stories and ideas interacting with their toys and friends. Just4Fun! is a way to start! Let’s get our children off those screens!
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I want kids to have fun. Fun they create for themselves with inspiration from their own imagination by playing with games, books, toys and their friends!
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Definitely creativity!
