Inspiring Play in Young Children
“Children feel productive when their work is valued, and when they do not feel a sense of failure. Working with loose parts teaches them that their work has merit.”
--Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky
What Are Loose Parts?
You know those little things you have hiding out in places like your jewelry box, a junk drawer or a tool box? They may be shiny, rough, smooth, waxy, flat, round and maybe roll. They may be sort of heavy, you may have a lot of them lying around, but you don’t really know why? Or perhaps you think they have only one purpose. These are the things that kids are drawn to because by nature kids are curious, creative and love the novelty of these items. Loose parts have endless possibilities, inspire unconventional engineering and problem solving! The old things become new treasures and this is where the magic lies!
Why Loose Parts?
Working with loose parts and materials shows the value in how we learn versus focusing on what we learn. It’s a type of creative play and learning that works well to:
- invite conversations
- create a new way to interact
- encourage collaboration
- practice cooperation
- support creativity and innovation
- find flow and captivation
- invite open ended play
- build strong spatial relationships
- develop new language skills and concepts
- foster numeracy and computation thinking
- promote critical thinking and classification skills
- safely take risks and try new things
Loose Part Materials
Leaves, Duct Tape, Pennies, Straws, Nuts and Bolts, Toothpicks, Tape Measure, Paper Clips, Scarves, Hangers, Ribbon...
Ideas
Pebbles: Stack, balance, sort by shape, color, texture, use as cars, or people
Rocks: Make a path that leads you to safety as you jump and dodge the alligators, build castles, make a Mandela
Sticks: design patterns, roads, make letters and shapes, line up from shortest to tallest
Things to Remember
Kids need space, time and materials to create, recreate and then start all over. Next time you are thinking you need something new or inspirational for your child to learn I encourage you to create a Loose Parts Kit. There is no right way or wrong way, no directions or need to tell anyone what and how to do “it.” Kids will just begin to design and create from their imagination- just provide them with some thoughtful materials. Once you get the idea of “it,” you will see the endless possibilities. Kids will let us know when they are ready to move on to new materials, if not with their words, then by their interest level.
Resources
Loose Parts by Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky
Children's Books by Tana Hoban
Creative Investigations in Early Math by Angela Eckhoff
Until Next Time,
Sammy Cousens
World Language Supports
by Piper Mertle
One of my very favorite French films for families is “Kirikou” et la Sorcière” (Kirikou and the Sorceress). This delightful, animated film from West Africa tells the tale of a magical little boy who is clever and courageous. The music and colors and animation give a real feel for the region and culture of this part of the world.
If you dare, I recommend you try watching the French language version with your kindergartener (read the subtitles to yourself, explaining to your child as needed). Reading subtitles is a great reading skill!
*The DVD will soon be available at the public library*
You and your child will start to recognize certain phrases and expressions in French! (The film also has an English language “dubbed” version, but it’s not as authentic).
France was a colonial power in northern and West Africa. In fact nearly 50% of the world’s French speakers live in Africa! (Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Benin and more).
Some scenes, in which the sorceress is trying to catch the children, may be scary to some kids. The film opens with the birth scene of Kirikou, and depicts traditional clothing, games and indigenous nudity, all shown in a natural and sensitive manner.
Senegal is 95% Muslim. The Muslim holiday of Ramadan started on April 12 this year. Kids Explain Ramadan
Here are some coloring pages of West Africa
Appleblossom the Possum by Holly Goldberg Sloan
This funny and heartwarming animal adventure is about a Mama possum who has trained her baby possums in the ways of their breed, and now it’s time for all of them, even little Appleblossom, to make their way in the world.
Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows
This is the story of two girls who become friends depite their differences and their reluctance to like each other in the beginning. Ivy, a quiet, intellectual child, and Bean, a very rambunctious child, get into considerable mischief, and have wild adventures in their neighborhood. There are now quite a few books in this popular series.
Pedro, First Grade Hero by Fran Manushkin
Meet Pedro, an earnest Latino first grader who overcomes obstacles and solves mysteries. What is refreshing about these books is that they overcome boy-girl stereotypes. These chapter books are just right for those getting ready for a longer chapter book but not yet prepared to give up the colorful pictures. Reader-support tools, such as a glossary and discussion questions, make this a great choice for early-readers.
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Osborne Pope
The first Magic Treehouse book, introduced Jack (8) and Annie (7), a brother and sister who discover that a treehouse filled with books can trasport them to different places and historical times. Jack and Annie are sent all around the world to achieve specific goals, usually to rescue an important historical document. These books are very entertaining and educational!
Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke
This series is about Anna Hibiscus, who lives in Africa with her mother, her father, her baby twin brothers, and lots and lots of her family. These books feature warm, loving, multi-generational family relationships. The commonality of cultures and experiences displayed in these books will hopefully inspire many family discussions!
