Loose Parts Play has become extremely popular and rightly so, considering it’s great benefits!
However what I really love most about this play is that it is easy and affordable to implement! Â I have gathered photos of examples of loose parts play and how you can use recycled items as well as items from nature. Not only is this play great for imagination & creativity, it can also open up discussions about being sustainable and environmentally aware!
Use of sand with rocks, seed pods and sticks to design and create…
Use of recycled corks and cotton reels  for building & design…Â
Love this idea of cardboard circles and the use of buttons plus other various items to create and explore patterns. This is a great opportunity to ask children (and families) to bring in items that are no longer in use.. rather than into the rubbish and landfill.
Exploring and creating patterns using nature.. a great opportunity to support nature appreciation though conversations about the shapes, textures and colours of our environment.Â
A variety of loose parts for construction, design, imaginative play. The use of both nature and man made items can open discussions around what affect we have on the environment…
Similar to the picture above.. a combination of man made and natural items such as timber, pine cones and bricks…
A great way to use old piping, tubes and even pot plants… these items can be used with sand, dirt and /or water allowing children to design, plan and create… again, much better than going to landfill!
If you would like  to explore Loose Parts Play further feel free to book into my upcoming webinar on Thursday 23rd November http://earlyyearstraining.com.au/events/loose-parts-play/
It had a significant influence on early childhood educators as well as those who designed play spaces for children.
Adorei a apresentação de seu trabalho, suas sugestões abre um leque de possibilidades. Meus parabéns me ajudou muito. Farei um projeto sobre este trabalho com crianças, se tiver mais alguma coisa neste sentido eu agradeço. Obrigada.
Love this article.
Must say that “….and even pot plants” should probably read differently, such as “potted plants” or “plant pots,” depending on which of those you meant to suggest. I’m sure you didn’t mean marijuana plants!
The imagination of children, of the new generations, will save us. Their attention to recycling, their imagination and excitement in playing with anything could transform the way we live with waste.
Our grandparents taught us to play with our imagination. We have lost it. I hope these new generations do it again
Wonderful just love it!! I also teach EC kids. What did you use for the white circles that hold the cardboard circles of items?
HI Madeline, they can be hoops. I think are most effective as they maintain their shape. 🙂