Loose Parts Play

Loose parts play involves open-ended exploration where children engage in hands-on learning experiences. Children need opportunities to be creative and inventive in their environment, manipulating and constructing their ideas through play. Loose parts are materials with no specific set of directions they can be used alone or combined with other materials and allow for endless possibilities. They allow the play experience to be completely child led.

Some of the benefits to loose parts play:

Development of

• creative thinking skills
• science and math skills (sorting, classifying, measuring, counting, matching)
• problem solving skills
• concentration and focus
• imaginative play
• oral language and social/emotional skills
• fine motor skills
• independence