‘Princess play’ presents opportunity to teach girls good manners

If your daughter's imagination often takes her to a land of magic castles, gorgeous gowns and glittery tiaras, then she's likely in what is known as the "princess phase." It's a magical time in a girl's life when her imagination takes over playtime to include kings and queens, princes and princesses staged in an enchanted world where anything is possible.

This stage provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage their girls with lessons about good manners and etiquette - helping them learn the true meaning of being a princess. Through "princess play" parents can teach their daughters that being a princess means being kind, poised, and well-mannered.

"It's never too early to teach good manners; they are important life lessons for young children," says Elise McVeigh founder of Mrs. McVeigh's Manners and Parents magazine's etiquette expert. "Through simple teaching techniques, leading by example and helpful materials, children can learn and share the art of etiquette quickly."

McVeigh suggests using kid-friendly tools and activities to introduce good manners and etiquette in a fun and relevant way for children. Whether you make a game out of setting the table or creating a manners checklist on the wall, kids respond to learning when the lessons are engaging and interactive.

Princess-themed children's movies, dolls and toys can also serve as a conversation-starter about good manners between parents and their daughters, allowing them to practice and "play out" these lessons in a fun way. For instance, McVeigh and Barbie have teamed up to provide girls and parents an array of tips, tools and lessons that coincide with the release of the new DVD movie, "Barbie Princess Charm School."

McVeigh and Barbie offer these tips to bring the princess in every girl to life through five simple lessons:

1. Meet and greet - It is important that a princess know how to properly meet new people and greet friends. For a polite and poised introduction, remember:

* When meeting a new person, say your name then say "Nice to meet you."
* If greeting a friend, always tell them "Nice to see you."
* Look the person in the eye.
* Have a firm handshake.
* Speak loudly and clearly.

2. Set a table - Every princess needs to know how to set a perfect princess table for friends and family. A proper table setting must include: napkin, salad fork and main fork on the left, and knife (with blade toward the plate), spoon and glass (placed above the knife) on the right.

3. Table manners - When sitting at the table with guests and friends, a princess must practice perfect table manners. A polite princess should remember these important rules:

* Sit down at the table once you've been told.
* Place the table napkin in lap.
* Always chew with your mouth closed.
* Place utensils in resting position on the plate in between bites.
* Talk to guests and friends about fun and happy topics.

4. How to receive a gift - Princesses are lucky to have lots of friends and family members who may give them gifts. When receiving a gift, a polite princess must always happily say, "Thank you."

5. How to write a thank-you note - When a princess receives a gift, she should use lovely stationery and write a thank-you note right away.

The "princess stage" is a special time for parents to not only engage with their daughters in play, but to also teach valuable life lessons. Using McVeigh's tips as a guide, parents can raise well-mannered "little princesses" for life.