Loose Parts: What Does This Mean?

Loose Parts: What does this mean?
Loose parts is a wonderful term

coined by architect Simon Nicholson,
who carefully considered landscapes and
environments that form connections.
Nicholson believed that we are all creative
and that “loose parts” in an environment
will empower our creativity. Many play
experts and early childhood educators
adapted the theory of loose parts.
How can I provide loose parts? Loose parts encourage open-

Loose parts can be natural or synthetic. It is helpful to think ended learning
of loose parts as something that will help children inspire A term strongly connected to loose parts is open-
imagination and creativity on their own terms and in their ended. Open ended materials, environments, and
own unique way. experiences encourage problem solving and are
child centered. Children involve themselves in
Giving meaning to loose parts concrete experiences using loose parts, which lead
to explorations that occur naturally, as opposed to
Giving meaning to loose parts requires us to think about
adult directed. However, adults do play important,
the possibilities of how a child learns and consider the
intentional roles in preparing, guiding, and
materials and environments she uses. Loose parts create
documenting open ended learning experiences.
endless possibilities and invite creativity. For example, if a
child picks up a rock and starts to play, most likely that rock Consider how often children enjoy bringing materials
can become anything the child wants it to be. Imagination, from one area to another and making connections,
creativity, curiosity, desire, and need are the motivation of such as the child who brings pretend food from the
loose parts. dramatic play area into the block area or the child
who offers a plate of rocks and grass and shares his
Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried,
recipe for spaghetti; how creative! When children are
combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put
encouraged to integrate play materials and areas in
back together in multiple ways. Loose parts can be used
their own creative ways, they are experiencing open
alone or combined with other materials. There is no set of
ended learning.
specific directions for materials that are considered loose
parts. The child is the direction.
extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare
Examples of loose parts in…
a natural play area:* an indoor environment:
water • sand • dirt • sticks • branches • logs • driftwood blocks • building materials • manipulatives •
• grasses • moss • leaves • flowers • pinecones • measuring • pouring devices (cups, spoons, buckets,
pine needles • seeds • shells • bark • feathers funnels) • dramatic play props • play cars, animals,
• boulders • rocks • pebbles • stones and people • blankets • materials • floor samples
• water • sand • sensory materials • recycled
a playground: materials (paper tubes, papers, ribbons, caps,
lids, wood scraps, wire, foam, cardboard) •
balls • hoops • jump ropes • tires • sand
plastic gutters • small plungers • tools • art
• water • dirt • straw • boulders • rocks •
materials (buttons, spools, natural and colored
stones • pebbles • buckets • cups • containers
popsicle sticks, beads, straws, paints, brushes)
• digging tools • chalk • scarves • ribbons • fabric
*When working with loose parts, be sure not to disturb living things.
Children choose creative, loose parts over fancy toys

played with, but the most time and joy came from the
eating, playing with the beads, and experimenting with
the water.
It is in this free exploration and creation from the

children that adults can see their concrete ways of
thinking and doing, or as the famous psychologist Eric
Erickson put it, adults can see their “natural genius of
childhood and their spirit of place.” The cleverness
and connections to formal learning that unfold from
During a holiday gathering, two young children were
loose parts is amazing and is a motivation to make sure
fortunate enough to receive holiday gifts and toys. The
practitioners include loose parts in early childhood
parents noticed that the children spent the most time
environments, whether it is home care, center care, or
doing three things: eating, playing with their aunt’s long
group home care.
necklace of large beads, and pouring water from cup to
cup and floating carrots in the water. Yes, the toys were
extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare
Choking cautions
Young children can choke on small objects Any toys or games labeled as unsuitable for Be aware of choking risks and food allergies hotdogs, meats, sausages, fish with bones,
and toy parts. All items used for children children under three should not be used. when preparing and serving meals and spoonfuls of peanut butter, popcorn, chips,
under three years of age and any children snacks. Think about the size, shape, and pretzel nuggets, raisins, whole grapes, raw
Other items that pose a safety risk and
who put toys in their mouths should be at consistency when choosing foods due to carrots, fruits and vegetables with skins, and
should not be accessible to children under
least 1¼ inch in diameter and between 1 inch the potential choking risks in children. Food marshmallows. Be sure that food is cut in
three include, but are not limited to: button
and 2¼ inches in length. Oval balls and toys cut in large chunks, small hard foods, and small pieces (no larger than ½ inch), grated,
batteries, magnets, plastic bags, styrofoam
should be at least 1¾ inch in diameter. Toys soft and sticky foods should be avoided. The or finely chopped. Be sure that children are
objects, coins, balloons, latex gloves, and
should meet federal small parts standards. top choking hazards for children include: closely supervised when they are eating.
glitter.
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Loose Parts: What does this mean?

Loose parts is a wonderful term

How can I provide loose parts? Loose parts encourage open-

a natural play area:* an indoor environment:

Children choose creative, loose parts over fancy toys

It is in this free exploration and creation from the

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