Loose Parts
The children at The Wigwam Day Nursery in Reading are enjoying our move towards using authentic resources and loose parts.
What are loose parts?
- Loose parts are different materials and objects, that when given to children can be or become anything the child wants
- We use loose parts such as pine cones, bottle top lids, buttons, shells, small wooden objects, stones, building block
Why do we use loose parts?
- Because they have no set purpose, they spark imagination, curiosity and enable children to make their own decisions
- We use these “bits and pieces” in all areas of the EYFS and they are a fantastic way to develop vocabulary and maths skills
- Because they are not a toy with a specific purpose, these resources make play open-ended, allowing children to take the activity wherever their imagination wants and they can freely combine them with other resources
What loose parts have we used recently?
Last week, the children at The Wigwam really enjoyed using corks, stones and beads to create their own patterns. A great activity to spark their imagination, develop mathematical skills and enhance their vocabulary. Natural resources such as shells and orange slices added extra sensory stimulation to this activity and we also did lots of counting!
If you would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to speak to any team members or get in touch.
A move away from plastic toys and towards authentic resources is central to the Curiosity Approach. At The Wigwam we don’t follow one theory of play, but we have recently trained our staff in this approach to use in combination with other approaches.
The Curiosity Approach is a modern day approach to Early Childhood. Taking parts from Reggio, Steiner, Te Whāriki with a sprinkle of Montessori. It’s a beautiful recipe book of wonderful ingredients, carefully mixed together with experience, passion and a love of Early Childhood.
More information is available here.
Tue 1st Oct