WHEN IS A TOY NOT A TOY?

Wednesday 27 April 2022

Sarah Camp - Pedagogical Lead writes:

We all know children love to explore and can find intrigue and wonder in the most unusual things, but have you heard of loose part play?

In 1972, architect Simon Nicholson developed the Theory of Loose Parts; the idea that loose parts, materials which can be moved around, designed and redesigned, and tinkered with; create infinitely more opportunities for creative engagement than static materials and environments”

A loose part is an open ended resource that can be anything from a bangle to an old car tyre. Interestingly, both items I have given as examples also allow for the rotating schema (a repeated behavior that children demonstrate through play, which facilitate development.  Specifically, an interest in things that spin and turn.

Children love to transport loose parts and the transporting schema is probably one of the most well known schema’s many children display. Have you ever found it exasperating that those expensive toys you bought are used for a completely different purpose, well that’s why you need some loose parts!

Loose parts allow children to use their imagination, be creative and extend their own play, which in turns means they will not get bored and you won’t waste money on expensive toys.  

In a nursery setting, we love to have different sizes of wood, from matchsticks, to cubed blocks, to obstacle course size. Some can be held in your hand, some can make a structure but every child can use them differently. Whatever your child’s interest a loose part can substitute a thing. You can build a spiderman cave, a tower block, a pirate ship, a Frozen castle and every day it’s use can change. 

We all know children love to play with a cardboard box and junk modelling is a great way to upcycle and reuse loose parts laying around the home. All you need is some masking tape and glue and you’re away.  Endless fun!

Loose parts can be found everywhere and can be played with both inside and outside. Just make sure the items are age appropriate, safe, clean and spare! You will never look at households items the same. 

Let’s go around the home room by room :-

• Garden            Pinecones, shells, pegs, bamboo pieces, smooth wood, dry leaves, bark, petals
• Garage            Plumbing pipes, old spanners, keys, large nuts and bolts, sponge tubing
• Kitchen            Straws, lolly sticks, plastic milk bottle tops, measuring spoons, yoghurt pots, cookie cutters

• Bedroom         Curtain rings, buttons, beads, bangles,
• Lounge            CD’s, cotton reels, dried flowers, Christmas beads or baubles
• Bathroom        Cotton Wool balls, toilet rolls tubes, sponges

Loose part play is for any age. Your child might like to create some

transient art on a tray. As a child I had hours of fun with my mums button box. You can take a photo which lasts forever.

They may just want to transport things in a wheelbarrow, laundry basket or handbag!

They could use them in a mud kitchen or play kitchen as ingredients for dinner.

The ideas are endless and that’s the idea. Imagine buying a toy for one purpose, it gets played with and discarded. Loose part play is inexpensive and can change as the child changes. 

Initially, you child may not know what to do with loose parts. This may take some modelling on your behalf.

You can always add playdough, animals or transporting materials like toy diggers, buckets, play shopping baskets, saucepans.

A tuff tray is a great way to ignite imagination. You could line the tray with silver foil (holding it down with selotape). Then using a mug tree hang bangles. Why not add a stainless steel teapot filled with Christmas beads, a few fairy lights, a mirror and shells and you have a wonderful sensory experience. Allow the child to take the lead. There is no right or wrong way of playing with loose parts!