Loose Parts: The Props of Play

Presented by the Northern Region of the Virginia Infant & Toddler Specialist Network

“Infants and toddlers are natural scientists with

an intrinsic drive to investigate and master their world.

Play with loose parts fosters even the youngest

children’s sense of wonder and curiosity as they

explore the potential of intriguing, unexpected,

upcycled, and natural materials.”Quote from the Introduction to

Loose Parts for Infant and Toddlers

What are Loose Parts?

Loose parts are captivating, open-ended materials that are intriguing and fascinating to infants and toddlers and can be used and manipulated in different ways.

Innately curious, infants and toddlers enjoy playing with objects that are enticing and novel.

The objects might make a sound, have an interesting texture, be of different weights, have multiple colors, or move in various ways.

Loose Parts have unlimited play possibilities. There are multiple ways to play with them and multiple outcomes that are possible.

Loose Parts may be materials you find, such as sticks, leaves, stones, pine cones, pieces of wood, bamboo, or other natural items.

Loose Parts may be materials you have around the home or school such as fabric, coasters, spoons, bowls, balls, ribbon, scarves, and more.

Loose Parts may be materials you would generally recycle such as cardboard pieces, boxes, plastic containers, and similar items.

They could also be items

you UPCYCLE – use for a different purpose - such as napkin rings, baskets, wooden bowls, and more.

Loose Parts may be materials you purchase from discount or craft stores such as artificial flowers, plastic fruit, scarves, interesting containers, baskets, or other items.

Because infants and toddlers explore with their

mouths, as well as their hands, we ALWAYS want

to make sure that children are SUPERVISEDwhen playing with loose parts and that the

materials we provide for exploration are SAFE.

How small is too small?

Place an object into the cylinder of the CHOKE TUBE …

WITHOUT compressing it.

• If the object fits within the cylinder, it is TOO SMALL for infants and toddlers.

Only items that are LARGER THAN THE CYLINDER are

appropriate for infants and toddlers.

Designed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

ALWAYS MAKES

SURE ITEMS ARE

SAFE FOR INFANTS

AND TODDLERS.

If an item is

TOO LARGE for the choke tube, it is a

safer size for infants and

toddlers.

Other safety concerns include making sure that

the materials are DURABLE and SAFE.

• Small parts/pieces can’t be broken off

• There are no sharp edges

• There is no peeling paint

• Items are not easily breakable or easy to

crush

• No toxic chemicals or components

• Items are clean and can be sanitized easily

• Items are appropriate for the age and

interests of the children

The MOST CRITICAL part of play for infants

and toddlers is

ADULT SUPERVISION.

The Value of Loose PartsYoung children quickly get tired of materials or toys that can only be used in one way – that only have one purpose.

Loose parts offer almost unlimited possibilities allowing children opportunities to create their own play and to change it as often as they like.

A pine cone might be a tree, or a car, or a person, or food, or a frog, or anything a toddler might want it to be.

Ribbon might be a snack, or spaghetti, or a snake, or a river, or anything a toddler might want it to be.

A gourd or small pumpkin might be a ladder, or a bear, or a bridge, or a truck, or anything a toddler might want it to be.

A smooth shell might be a book, or a shoe, or a house, or a shopping cart, or anything a toddler might want it to be.

When the learning

environment has many play areas with loose parts, infants and

toddlers will discover multiple ways to use the materials … thinking, exploring, and processing knowledge in creative ways.

With loose parts in the play environment infants and toddlers are active participants in their own development.

They LEARN through exploring, investigating, discovering, problem solving, trial-and-error methods, and by making connections between play experiences.

Loose Parts Support Early Learning Curriculum Areas

What types of MATH concepts can be explored using loose parts?

• Counting• Sorting• Classifying• Patterns• Shapes• Sequencing• Addition• Subtraction• Measurement• …and more

What types of PHYSICAL SCIENCE concepts can be explored using loose parts?

• Weight• Gravity• Distance• Force• Height• Motion• Inclines/Slopes• Color• Shadows• Light

What types of ART concepts can be explored using loose parts?

• Draw• Collage• Weave• Colors• Create• Build• Sculpt• Extend• Beauty

What types of LANGUAGE and LITERACY concepts can be explored using loose parts?

• Describe Thoughts• Describe Attributes• Items as Props• Stories• Interactions• Conversations• New Ideas• Complex Words• Critical Thinking• Making Connections

What types of MUSIC and MOVEMENT concepts can be explored using loose parts?

• Self-Directed• Self-Initiated• Move Freely• Explore Sound• Explore Rhythm• Explore Properties• Scarves• Hoops• Ribbons

What other learning takes place using loose parts?

• Social-Emotional• Perceptual-Motor• Cognitive• Language

Learning About Self, Others, and the World:

Everyday Experiences Influence Life Skills

Adding Loose Parts

BE INTENTIONALRather than adding loose parts in a way that they will be

dumped on the floor, be thoughtful about what the

children’s interests and skills are.

• Observe the children. • Engage in play with the children.• Be responsive as the children explore the

materials.• Ask open-ended questions

• “How could we use this?”• “What else could you do?”

Adding Loose Parts

BE THOUGHFUL• Provide sensory appeal (visual, creative,

textures, colors, shapes, patterns).• Incorporate items that are of interest

and are appropriate for the children’s skill level.

• Include materials that can be use to design, construct, or made into props.

• Allow the children to transport the materials from one area to another.

• Encourage cooperation and innovation.

The Benefits of Loose Parts

Infants and toddlers are engaged in exploration every moment that they are awake.

When using loose parts, infants and toddlers are manipulating, mouthing, listening, looking at, discovering, exploring, and developing possibilities for active learning.

While actively exploring loose parts, infants and toddlers are gaining perceptual-motor skills, enhancing language skills, increasing the development of sensory systems, and adjusting their play based on the results they get.

The BEST loose parts allow children to be as ACTIVE and as

COMPETENT as possible.

How could the children in your care use these materials?

How could the children in your care use these materials?

How could the children in your care use these materials?

How could the children in your care use these materials?

How could the children in your care use these materials?

What Loose Parts will you provide for young children to explore?