Loose Parts Play - Kentucky Department For Libraries And .

Loose Parts PlayExplore ways to incorporate play based learning and loose partsinto your storytime experiences

History of Loose Parts Play Theory presented by architect Simon Nicholson in 1971: “As long as materials can be moved, redesigned, put together, and taken apart in avariety of ways, they are classified as loose parts.”

Loose Parts in the Classroom MontessoriReggio EmiliaWaldorfNature-based or outdoor classrooms or really any learning environment!

Developmental DomainsCritical thinking; numbers,classification, spatial relationships,solving problemsOrganization of materialsVocabulary, discussion, soundwordsGross motor, fine motorskills, hand-eye coordinationBelonging; inclusiveness;passion; risk-taking;productive; decision-making

Seven types of looseparts materialsCollected in Loose Parts: a Start Up Guideby Sally Haughey and Nicole Hill

Nature Based Sticks Acorns Rocks Pods Dried Flowers Logs Leaves Sticks Seeds Peach Pits Sand Feathers Dirt Squash Pinecones Sweet Gum Balls Wood cookies Anise Stars Wood chips Cinnamon Sticks Moss Nutmeg Shells

Wood Reuse Corks Napkin rings Clothespins Wood scraps Pegs Wood pegs Wooden Beads Scrabble pieces Golf Tees Spools Chair Legs Wood frames Dowels Rings Wooden Blocks Puzzle pieces Hardwood floor scraps Wood people Candlesticks Thread spools

Plastic Milk Caps Beads Bottles Bubble Wrap Gerber food containers Cones PVC pipes Lollipop sticks Reels Buttons Empty spice containers Funnels Film canisters Maker Caps Curtain rings Plastic bead necklaces Hair rollers Golf balls Straws Cups CD cases Hula hoops Game pieces Bag clips

Metal Nuts and bolts Links Washers Metal lids Tin foil Thimbles Old gadgets Silver beads Bangles Soda can tabs Curtain rings Thread spools Muffin tins Door knobs Potato mashers Discs Gutters Hair clips Magnets Candle sticks Keys Tubing Bottle tabs Cans License Plates Spoons Forks and spoons

Ceramic and Glass Ceramic tiles Granite scraps Glass Beads Cabinet door knobs Gems Small mirror discs Marbles Sea glass Prisms Glass vase beads Slate Drawer knobs Tiles Balls Flower pots Tiny bottles

Fabric, Yarn, Ribbon Chiffon Embroidery thread Twine Felt pieces Ribbon Doilies Silk Lace Wool String Scarves Rope Flags Rubber bands Burlap Yarn

Packaging Packing Peanuts Painters tape Bubble Wrap Egg cartons Boxes Ribbon wheel Cardboard scraps Cereal boxes Paper rolls Paper scraps Wrapping paper

Loose Parts Play in Action https://vimeo.com/185688967

Block Play Problem solvingImaginationSelf-expressionMathematics Continuity and permanenceCreativityScienceSelf-esteemSocial and emotional growthSource: n-things-children-learnblock-play

Developmental Stages of Block Play Stage 1: Tote & Carry (2-3 year olds)Stage 2: Building (3 year olds)Stage 3: Bridging (3-4 year olds)Stage 4: Enclosures (4 year olds)Stage 5: Representational building (4-5 year olds)Stage 6: Complex building (5 and up)Source: l-stages-ofblock-play/

Examples in action

Loose Parts play at LFPL!

Loose Parts at LFPL!

Loose Parts at LFPL!The Three Pigs by David WiesnerShredded paper, pipe cleaners, redLegos

Loose Parts at LFPL!Experiencing loose parts play afterbook sharingBuilding the brick houses!

Loose Parts at LFPL!

How do I organize all that STUFF?

Things to consider Pay attention to choking hazardsBe ready to prep parents for something “new”Nature-based elements may have a shelf lifeBe aware of your space and storageBuilding cultural competencies and connections

Let’s discuss the differences:

Let’s discuss the differences:

Thrive Forest School @ Creasey Mahan NaturePreserve in Goshen, Kentucky This school is the first all outdoors, all weather preschool in the Louisvillearea. Take a look at what a typical day looks like at Thrive Forest thrive-forest-school/ Loose Parts Play in Storytimes and other programs offered at the publiclibrary can also lend themselves to nature based play Use ideas from this school and others like it to create nature based play inyour library!

Additional examples of nature based learningenvironmentsPre-school Forest Adventures @Jefferson Memorial Forest in Fairdale,KentuckyThe Nature Explore Classroom @Keystone Learning Academy in .org/jeffersonmemorial-forest-2/Preschool @Redwood Cooperative School inLexington, Kentuckyhttps://www.redwoodcoop.com/preschool/The Nature Explore Classroom @ LostRiver Cave in Bowling Green, ivercave/

Resources: https://fairydustteaching.com/blog/ download free eBook Loose Parts: A Start UpGuide Loose Parts: Inspiring play in young children by Lisa Daly and Miriam BeloglovskyLoose Parts 2: Inspiring play with infants and toddlers by Lisa Daly and Miriam BeloglovskyLoose Parts 3: Inspiring culturally sustainable environments by Lisa Daly and Miriam BeloglovskyDesigns for Living and Learning, 2nd Edition: Transforming Early Childhood Environments by DebCurtis & Margie Carter Pinterest (of course!)

History of Loose Parts Play Theory presented by architect Simon Nicholson in 1971: “As long as materials can be moved, redesigned, put together, and taken apart in a variety of wa