What are Loose Parts?

What are Loose Parts?

Have you noticed that children often like collecting bits and pieces from the many different environments that they are exploring in? From rocks and stones, leaves and flowers to little, tiny intricate pieces or treasures. Why are children drawn to these pieces? And what benefits do they provide?

The ‘Loose Parts Theory’ was devised by Simon Nicholson, in 1972, where he believed that these objects that can be moved, designed, redesigned, combined, taken apart and put back together a multitude of ways, allows for the growth of children’s imagination and creativity. These loose parts provide children with endless opportunities and promotes problem solving. Loose parts are open ended resources which can be explore with and arranged in a number of ways. 

What are loose parts? 

Loose parts can be anything and everything that is open ended and can be utilised for a several uses. Examples of loose parts include:

What are the benefits of loose parts?

• It supports children to develop their independence as they are supported and encouraged to explore different materials in their own way. 
• Promotes language development through the communication and conversations that children have with their peers, educators and parents. Children express their ideas, views and feelings as they explore with these loose parts. 
• Supports the development of a variety of dispositions of learning including sparking creativity, building upon their problem-solving, builds curiosity and thinking skills. This is through the construction of these loose parts, taking them apart and rearranging them. 
• Develops children’s fine motor skills as they use their fingers and grips to piece up resources and materials. 
• Allows for shared group experiences as children build on their collaboration skills with one another. 
• Fosters gross motor development as they move around to put together their creation. 
  

Information sourced from: