There is actually scientific backing to the theory behind early childhood loose parts play. In 1971, an architect by the name of Simon Nicholson wrote an article called “How NOT to Cheat Children: The Theory of Loose Parts”, in which he introduced the theory of loose parts play.
The loose parts theory proposed that the degree of inventiveness and creativity in children’s play is proportional to the number and kind of variables in their play environment.
Early childhood loose parts play is much more than just a fun way for children to pass the time; it is a vital part of their developmental journey. To put it simply, loose parts play benefits provide a foundation for lifelong learning, curiosity and creativity.
Here are some of the main areas that loose parts play can help children grow:
Integrating loose parts play into your family routine is not only simple but also incredibly rewarding.
Here are eight fun and engaging ideas to get you started:
Gather natural loose parts like pine cones, leaves, sticks, stones, bark and shells during a family walk or outdoor play. At home, children can use these items to create nature art, build miniature landscapes or even invent their own games. Encourage your child to use paint or coloured textas to bring these objects to life!
Collect various items such as cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and small wood pieces. Children can use these in their construction play to build towers, create imaginary structures or even craft a mini-city. Feel free to join in to help with more complex structures.
Offer a collection of fabrics – old clothes, pillow cases, scarves, towels and blankets. These can be transformed into costumes for a dramatic play, forts for imaginative adventures or used in a game of make-believe.
Foster artistic expression while also teaching the importance of recycling and reusing objects with a recycled art studio. Use recyclable materials like bottles, cardboard boxes, egg cartons and cereal boxes to create open-ended art projects. Children can paint, glue and assemble these into unique creations.
Provide various containers, tubes, funnels and sponges for water play. This not only is great fun but also teaches important concepts like volume, buoyancy and cause-and-effect.
Create sensory bins filled with items like rice, beans, or sand, as well as scoops, small toys and other objects for children to explore with their hands. Sensory play is excellent for sensory development and can be particularly calming for children who need sensory input.
Time to get noisy! Gather items throughout your home that make sound, like pots, pans and empty containers. Add spoons or sticks as drumsticks and encourage your children to create their own music.
Paint or draw on small stones to create story stones. These can be used by children to tell stories, enhancing their narrative skills and imagination while also improving their language development.
Unsurprisingly, loose parts play is a critical component of early childhood learning programs.
At Aurrum Kids, our childcare environment is rich with a variety of loose parts – ranging from natural materials like leaves and ticks to everyday items like wooden blocks and recycled containers. We even have our own waterbed playground to encourage free-form water play. This diversity is specifically designed to encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, turning these everyday objects into anything they can envision.
Interested in learning more about how Aurrum Kids fosters imagination and curiosity through early childhood loose parts play? Get in touch with us to book a tour at one of our childcare centres and discover how we provide a stimulating environment where children can explore, learn and grow.
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