Loose Parts Play
LOOSE PARTS PLAY
WHAT ARE LOOSE PARTS?
Imagination, creativity, curiosity, desire, and need are the motivation of
loose parts. Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried,
combined, redesigned, lined up, taken apart and put back together in
multiple ways. Loose parts can be used alone or combined with other
materials. Loose parts simply means moveable materials that children can
use in their play. They might be bought materials, upcycled from the
recycling bin or found natural objects. There’s a printable list of some loose
parts ideas below, but really anything goes: boxes, feathers, marbles,
wrapping paper, fir cones, water, sand, twigs, hats, drinking straws…..
WHAT LOOSE PARTS FREE PLAY OFFERS CHILDREN
“Have you ever noticed that if you leave old junk lying
around, kids will almost inevitably play with it?
Whether it be old cardboard boxes, wooden pallets,
pieces of wood, old tires, bits of rope or string, kids
will use their imagination and ingenuity to make
something. This may make your garden look like a
junkyard sometimes, but the experience for the kids is
invaluable and it will keep them occupied for hours.
Don’t try and direct the kids in their play, just let them
get on with it.”
Stocking your play space with loose parts offers children:
- Daily inspiration
- Endless possibilities
- A chance to think
- Encouragement to be creative
We’re not only talking about creative play from an artistic point of view – although loose parts do provide great materials to sculpt and build – but creative play that encourages brain development, scientific experimenting, mathematical thought, risk taking, and trial and error learning.
Through this kind of free play children are really creating by using what they have and what they already know and combining that to create a whole that’s greater than the parts. Just like Einstein, Da Vinci and Jobs. Loose parts and free play in childhood develops the creative genius of the future.
An example of a Loose Parts Marble Run: We introduced a new
resource for the children to explore that week: the marbles. As always,
on the art cart there was a variety of loose parts. To make a marble run
we had to imagine an end product, and carefully select the right materials
that allowed children to build what they had intended.
Things didn’t always go to plan – things broke, or the marble didn’t move
along the right chute – so they had to analyze, problem solve and
persevere until they’d managed what they set out to achieve. This kind
of hands-on learning is what
we encourage, and it helps children hone really important thinking skills
that will help them throughout their lives.
FOUR WAYS TO PROMOTE LOOSE PARTS FREE PLAY
To promote this kind of creative learning you can:
- Have loose parts on offer in your play setting all the time, so the children get used to what’s available and can pull them into their play when they get an idea.
- Add in new materials from time to time, to spark fresh thinking (you can use our list for some suggestions).
- Make sure the children have lots and lots of time to investigate, explore, daydream, and make use of the loose parts.
- Have other children and leaders available to help problem-solve, add in twists to the play and to admire creations and inventions.
IDEAS FOR MATERIALS TO HAVE IN YOUR PROGRAM
The great things about stocking your program space with loose parts is that anything goes (so long as the materials are suitable for your children’s ages and stages) and they’re mainly free. Natural materials, recycled items and donations from friends, families, and local businesses are all great places to get your materials.
You don’t need to think about how the children might use the materials – leave that to the kids. Provide the loose parts, step back and let the children PLAY. They might surprise you with their imaginations and create things you would never have dreamed up!
THE MAGIC THREE FORMULA
We like to use a magic three formula when we need an injection of ‘new’. Simply pick three items from this list and set them out as an invitation to play. Remember you don’t need to think the three materials match or work well together. The idea is to offer something different, perhaps unusual, to spark the children’s thinking.
Yarn, curtain rings and play dough….
Water, feathers and plastic cups…
Tin foil, sticks and buttons…
Who knows what the children will come up with using the Magic Three!
ADVANTAGES TO LOOSE PARTS PLAY
For the most part, loose parts play dictated my entire childhood, and I credit
my ability to think outside the box to that fact. The beauty in using loose parts
over traditional toys is that the intent is left up to each child, providing greater
flexibility, and minimizing disagreements over toys.
There are documented advantages to loose play:
- Encourages children to think of cause and effect.
- Encourages children to create, invent and explore.
- Encourages children to explore possibilities.
- Encourages children to problem solve.
- Encourages children to engage in more complex play.
- Encourages children to develop motor skill competence.
http://mommymethodology.com/6-advantageous-loose-parts-play/
MAINTAINING THE MATERIALS
However you store materials, set up a regular schedule for maintenance. Go through them piece by piece to see what is popular and what is ignored. Does anything need replacing? What forms of play are children particularly interested in, and what could you supply to support that? If children are building houses with cardboard, what could you provide to let them expand or decorate these further?
Sometimes children will ask for specific materials, and by all means supply those if you can. If not, don’t worry too much. Bringing a range of materials helps create all sorts of ideas!
Take a look too, at anything that has lost its value for play. Are there materials that have been all used up, or which the children clearly don’t use? Are there items that are broken? Feel free to remove anything that doesn’t seem to be working and replace it with something else. Supporting play, like play itself, is a constantly unfolding process.
When you’re deciding, ask yourself: What is in the best interests of children’s play? You can also reconsider this later on and change accordingly.