Introducing loose parts play

This term we are very excited to be introducing loose parts play. ‘Loose parts’ are things like cardboard boxes, tyres, crates, tarpaulins, wooden planks, plastic guttering and pretty much anything else that can be moved and interacted with by children. Loose parts let children play in many different ways – anything from making a pirate ship, an imaginative cubby or constructing spaces to just be creative.

Educational and child development research strongly supports giving children more opportunities to learn through play and this resource enables more children of all ages to enrich their lives by imaginative, outdoor free play.

Loose parts are about ‘real world’ learning for all children and young people. The process of introducing loose parts and of playing with them involves collaboration, sharing thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.

The impact of embedding loose parts play is a positive cycle of improved health and wellbeing that impacts on academic, social, emotional and behavioural aspects of a child’s day. It fits beautifully with our Gympie East philosophy of looking at the whole child.

Loose parts play offers children the opportunity to explore and experience a different kind of play. It enables children to investigate their imagination and ideas, learn about risk (within a managed situation), build physical and social skills, and produce a piece of work which is interactive, autonomous and of their own making.

Loose parts tend to be free from gender, social and cognitive bias. Anyone of any age, ability and background can pick up a stick or piece of ‘junk’ and use it in their play, in their own way.

‘Real life’ resources enable children to make connections to their family interests, local culture, natural heritage and the world of work. Playing with loose parts provides children with experiences which cannot be replicated indoors. Alongside this comes the opportunity to enjoy challenging experiences and develop a range of skills which prepare children for life.

What are the benefits of risk and challenge in play?

• the chance to learn how to assess and manage risks for yourself

• fun and excitement

• making choices for yourself

• self-confidence

• learning through experience

• learning through trial and error

• resilience and learning ways of coping

• perseverance

• friendship

• teamwork

• getting to know yourself

Loose parts play will happen in and out of class time, with our initial focus being on incorporating this zone into our playground in play times. It will be a chance for children to:

• play freely with friends • investigate • discover • explore • create

On days when the Loose Parts Zone is operating, students may come home a little dirtier than usual. If you are concerned, you could pack a spare uniform in their bag in case they get too dirty/wet.

Parents and carers

Do you have loose parts to donate? We will need a supply of loose parts to keep things interesting.

Unexpected and unusual donations stimulate play in new and exciting ways.

If you have a donation, please contact Mr Elson or the school office to arrange a delivery time or let us know when you will be bringing it in so we can arrange storage.

Examples of some donations we could use – no glass or sharp edges on metal and plastic

• Wooden disks/timber pavers

• small logs of different heights and widths

• A variety of lengths of wood (not treated timber)

• Bamboo

• Stones, pebbles, shells.

• Whisky barrel planters for mixing and collecting

• Pieces of decking.

* Small hard plastic pool

* Gardening hand tools

* Shower curtains

• Tarpaulins (various sizes, types and colours)

• Milk and bread crates

• Wooden pallets – hardwood or plastic ones in good condition

• Tough buckets

• Cable drums or reels

• Tubes, guttering and funnels, hosepipe, bore pipes

and other pipes

• Ramps and lengths of plastics and other materials

such as corrugated transparent plastic in good condition

* Small plastic slippery slide

• Nets

• Large shallow tray

• Trolley to aid tidying up

• Wheelbarrow (small)

• Old suitcases or wheeled shopping bags

• Baskets for collecting and transporting. Plastic tubs with lids for storage.

• Steering wheels

• Computer keyboards

• Portable seats and things to sit on: camping mats and gardening mats.

• Straw bales

• Cardboard boxes and tubes – various sizes and shapes

• Air drying modelling clay

• Plastic bottles and containers.

More temporary

• Velcro straps

• Fence clamps and hooks

• String, paracord and high visibility guy ropes

• Karabiners (from climbing or camping shops)

• Pegs of different sorts, including tent pegs

• Duct tape and masking tape

Useful little bits

• Baskets

• Pots and pans

• Wooden spoons and kitchen utensils

• Curtain rings, jar lids

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