Here at Learning Links, we value the use of loose parts within our environment. Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, taken apart, put back together and considered open-ended when linked to play. They provoke creativity as there is no set way to use an item, it is the child’s imagination that drives the story or creation in which they are playing. Such as bark becoming cars within the garden, or stones being built up to create a picnic table for your dolls. There are endless possibilities.
“We typically think of language as consisting of words, sentences and stories, but there are also languages of sign, mathematics, visual imagery, art, dance, drama, rhythm, music and movement” (MOE, 2017).
As we enter day 7 for most us in lockdown, how can you support your tamariki creativity at home? Whilst on your stroll around your own garden, or within your local community today, why don’t you look around at all the natural loose parts that are there. Leaves, flowers, bark and sticks to name a few. What could they become? How can they be transformed? Here are a couple of ideas to get you started. What have you created today? Please share as we would love to see.