Loose Parts Play Ideas

Here’s some ways to support tamariki of all ages to engage with, and become curious about exploring loose parts and treasure baskets:

Infants

·        Have sturdy kete/baskets or containers with items that are small enough for infants to grasp, but not to swallow – for example teaspoons, paper cups, wooden blocks.

·        Make mobiles using a range of loose parts.

·        You can arrange loose parts – for example, all wooden items together, all metal items together, all items that are blue.

·        Include a range of sensory items for infants to feel different textures – e.g. silky material, felt, wool.

·        Support an infant’s developing oral language with simple words to describe what an item feels and looks like without naming it. For example, a (teaspoon) looks shiny and feels cold.

Toddlers

·        Have a range of loose parts available to support their current interests that are not too heavy for them to arrange and manipulate independently. For example, plastic pipes might need to be cut to size suitable for a toddler to use.

·        Provide space and time for toddlers to get used to using loose parts in their play, and listen to their developing language as they share what they are doing with them. You’ll learn about their thinking and their interests.

·        Provide loose parts with water play, e.g. plastic cups, spoons and funnels.

·        Provide loose parts for construction such as blocks, shoe boxes, lengths of ribbon, twigs and pine cones.

·        Loose parts can be added to playdough, e.g. twigs/sticks, shells, flowers/herbs, pipe cleaners, etc.

·        Loose parts can be used to paint with, e.g. using cotton wool balls to dab paint.

Young Children

·        Provide larger loose parts outdoors such as tyres, lengths of timber, large pieces of fabric which might be used by children to build forts, or create obstacle courses.

·        Provide time and space for young children to use the loose parts and work together to set the environment for their play. For example, they could decide to create a ‘shop’ using large cardboard boxes, make a sign with their artwork, stock their shop with recyclable containers from the kitchen, etc. This type of play with loose parts might take place over days/weeks.

·        Listen carefully to what young children share about their play using loose parts, and include their words in learning stories. They will tell you what their play is about, what they are making, and what they are doing.

Here’s some additional loose parts ideas for children of all ages:

·        Soft items such as a velvet scrunchie, a makeup brush or pom poms.

·        Items of different weights, temperatures, and textures such as jam jar lids, ornamental spoons, metal tins, wooden spoons, curtain rings, silicone bakeware.

·        Items from nature such as smooth shells, driftwood, pumice, harakeke balls, loofahs, and coconut shells.

·        Interesting items that spark curiosity such as solid bangles, an egg timer, a book, or small ornaments.

·        Things to carry, hide or put things in such as an old purse, kete, ice cream containers, chocolate boxes, formula scoops, pots and pans, cups, a paper bag, or empty tissue boxes.

Key note: Ensure safety by checking items are safe, and by being physically present and attentive when children are using items