By Jaci Foged, Extension Educator in Lancaster County
Simon Nicholson, a British architect, coined the term “loose parts” in the early 1970s which describes an approach to teaching and the use of materials in space. Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, redesigned, lined up, taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. Nicholson believed that we are all creative and by incorporating loose parts in an environment empowers our creativity.
These types of materials are different than toys, games or even supplies used for a craft with directions or are intended for a specific purpose. Loose parts do not have a set of instructions and they can be used alone or in combination with other materials, allowing children to explore and create freely.
TYPES OF LOOSE PARTS
One of the exciting and inspiring aspects of loose parts play is the almost limitless possibilities to explore. Almost anything can be used for loose parts play! Some ideas to get you started include fabric, cardboard, sand, buttons, tubes, rocks, shells, beads, pipe cleaners, pinecones, dried flowers, milk cartons and old keys. What loose parts will you add to your educational space?
BENEFITS OF LOOSE PARTS PLAY
Loose parts play supports young children’s development in a variety of ways.
Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development — Fine motor development strengthens the muscles of the hands, fingers and wrists, supporting hand-eye coordination, grasping and stabilization skills. Gross motor development supports large muscle groups essential for physical health, coordination, strength and balance. Gross motor skills include activities such as climbing, throwing, jumping and catching. An example would be children carrying lumber outside to build a structure.
Language and Literacy Development — Joining children in play is a powerful way to support language and literacy skills. Adults can label children’s actions, introduce new vocabulary and encourage literacy by inviting children to create signs for their structures or draw, write or dictate stories about what they have made.
Social-Emotional Learning — Loose parts play allows children to practice managing big feelings such as frustration, excitement and patience. It also provides opportunities to collaborate with peers, problem-solve together and co-create shared projects.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Time — Research has found that it can take some children up to 20 minutes to become engaged in meaningful play. A vivid memory from my own childhood is setting up and organizing all of my doll furniture and clothes. Everything had to be just right before I could truly “begin” playing. As you might imagine, sometimes I ran out of time just setting up. This often ended in tears and frustration — for both myself and my caregivers.
Storage space — Loose parts can be small, such as buttons, rocks, pompoms and keys. They can also include larger items like big sticks, large boxes or long tubing. Creating adequate space and organizational systems to store and access these materials is an important consideration.
Procurement — Loose parts do not have to be expensive. Many materials can be found in nature, purchased at low cost from thrift stores or garage sales, donated by families or community members or even sourced from recycling bins.