Loose Parts
“Children know how to appreciate the journey. They delight in the things we miss as we rush to our destination.”
Choosing the best childcare centre for your family and child, can be daunting, overwhelming and scary. There are so many options available across Brisbane and it can be tricky to determine the differences and benefits between various providers. Of course, there is no one correct choice: it is essential to consider what you value best in your child’s education and care and trust your gut feeling regarding where you feel most comfortable. After all, you, as your child’s first teachers, know your child and their needs best. We have compiled a list of our top tips when visiting potential childcare centres and how to prepare for the upcoming transition.
Dating back to the 1970s, architect Simon Nicholson suggested the presence of loose parts in our environment has the capacity to ‘empower our creativity’. Whilst it can look to the naked eye as everyday household objects, random tidbits or even junk (!), loose parts have the potential to inspire future engineers, foster mathematical and scientific thinking, build vocabulary and increase concentration and perseverance. And the best part is: loose parts are more often gathered rather than bought! A great way to save your wallet, whilst also reducing waste and saving our planet!
So, why should we implement loose parts?
‘Let the children play’ said it best –
Loose parts can:
Be used anyway children choose.
Be adapted and manipulated in many ways.
Encourage creativity and imagination.
Develop more skill and competence than most modern plastic toys.
Be used in many different ways.
Be used in combination with other materials to support imagination.
Encourage open ended learning.
Be chosen by children over fancy toys!
How can we start our own loose parts collection at home?
The beauty of a loose parts collection is that it is usually gathered items from around the house and neighbourhood; your child will enjoy embarking on this adventure with you too! Here are our favourite suggestions to get your started:
Buttons
Bottle lids and caps
Leaves and sticks
Pine cones and seed pods
Sea shells and small pebbles
Corks
Dry pasta, rice or beans
Rogue puzzle pieces, game tokens, dice or scrabble tiles
Ribbon and fabric scraps
Recycling such as yoghurt containers and cardboard tubes
