10 Loose Parts, 5 Invitations to Play

Loose Parts are a wonderful component of any program, BUT they can be overwhelming and a little daunting as well. When I first started collecting it was exciting to see the children's play transform but I was also frustrated with the chaos that become my space and house! Loose Parts were everywhere! I have learned to love this now, but I can relate to the educators who are just starting out with their collections and unsure where to start! So I wanted to show how you can use the same loose parts endless ways, because that is the whole theory of loose parts!  I want to inspire educators to join the loose parts journey, but also show the power of loose parts and their simplicity. I have created 5 invitations to play with 10 loose parts!

The ten items I have listed are a suggestion, inspiration to show how any kind of simple item can be used over and over again.  So have fun going on a loose parts hunt in your home, recycling, garage, and in nature.  Because remember loose parts are everywhere!  I have a FREE Loose Parts Guide, get your copy HERE

For a gentle reminder of what an invitation to play is, for those who maybe hearing this term for the first time, an invitation to play is simply that, an invite.  It is meant to spark children's interest, to create an intrinsically motivated desire to play.  Setting the items out with specific materials or in a certain area can speak for you, but children will always have their own ideas to explore the items.  Following their lead is so important because it provides opportunities for them to make decisions, think creatively, and problem solve which are skills we all need for life!

Let's get to discovering how you can use the same 10 loose parts in
​5 different invitations to play!

play-dough

Children love to squish, squeeze, and hide items in play-dough. I believe this is a great way to introduce loose parts! Can add in the traditional tools or leave them out.  I always suggest play-dough as a starting point because it is very natural for the children to explore creatively and it takes away the "adult pressure" of hoping they create something they saw on Pinterest.  Loose parts are to get the mind thinking, the juices flowing and that will look different for every child and might take more time.  

I often get asked why I use mirrors in play. The main reason is because they add a certain magical element to children's play but also because they provide the ability for children to view their play from different perspectives, see in the moment emotions on their faces, and can spark many new questions!  There are so many more reasons, but these are my main ones.

Numeracy

All of the 10 loose parts chosen have vast potential for counting, patterns, sorting, and much more. I chose to create this invitation to play on a smaller table to encourage creating a learning space for small groups or even individuals. The book here is filled with images of numbers from unique items found outside, such as 8 from an iron fence! Loose parts in our community!

This is a very natural way to either introduce numbers and numeracy to children or a great invitation for those who are currently interested in numbers.  Children naturally engaging in play schemas, which are play urges they NEED to do. Positioning is one type, and this is where you see children lining up toys, a pre-math skill!  These 10 loose parts would encourage and challenge that interest very well.

art

Loose parts are magical and can create beautiful intricate pieces of art. Messing about with the items, trying new ideas, problem solving, interacting with peers are all wonderful benefits of playing with loose parts.  ​I created this invitation to play and create art on the floor for a group of children and to encourage gross motor skills such as balancing, lying on your stomach, crossing the midline to build core muscles.

In this invitation I added some extra pieces such as little coloured glass stones, letter cookies, and napkin ring holders.  The creativity in this is endless, and imagine seeing yourself while creating ontop of the mirror!  This type of art with loose parts is known as transient art.  Most of the time there isn't a permanent piece to have, as its all about the process.  Taking photos or saving it for awhile usually helps children get used to this new type of art.

Dramatic Play

Children love to make special dishes and act out everyday routines from their lives. Adding loose parts to your house area allows ANY kind of dish to be created and for the children to share their family lives with each other. Rich language is used to fill their stories, and the play is limitless!  I added in different textured and coloured placemats, unique tea pots, ceramic milk and sugar set, and real kitchen utensils. These items bring so much sensorial stimulation to their play that helps the children self-regulate.

building

I find that children are naturally drawn to the building area quite often. Adding in loose parts will take their buildings, creations, and stories to deeper levels creating opportunities for higher level thinking, problem solving, and social interactions.  Combining loose parts such as cardboard tubes, wood cookies, and fabrics along with traditional building centre materials will create many opportunities to explore their theories but to also touch and feel different textures and weights from the items.

So there you have it, 5 invitations to play with the same 10 Loose Parts!
Would love to hear what loose parts you have found and how you are introducing them into your program!  Comment below or feel free to share photos in the facebook group,
​All Things Early Years!