Loose Parts Self Portraits and Names

Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. Loose parts can be used alone or combined with other materials. There is no set of specific directions for materials that are considered loose parts. The child is the direction. 

Loose parts play is a type of play that supports invention, divergent thinking, problem solving and offers a sense of wonder to children. It is a label given to any collection of natural or man-made materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways to expand upon children’s play. (Kart, Nudel, https://playactioninternational.org/, The Importance of Child-Directed Play, May 2021, https://playactioninternational.org/news/the-importance-of-child-directed-play/).

The children created their self portraits and names using loose parts today during our large group time.

Indiana Learning Foundations:

SC4.1: Demonstrate engineering design skills

APL1.1: Demonstrate initiative and self-direction

M4.2: Exhibit ability to identify, describe, analyze, compare, and create shapes

SC6.2: Demonstrate algorithmic thinking and debugging

APL2.1: Demonstrate development of flexible thinking skills during play

APL3.1: Demonstrate development of sustained attention and persistence