Loose parts Play Hub
A safe space that sparks curiosity, encourages exploration, and stimulates imaginative play.
The possibilities are endless!
Loose parts play is an open-ended approach to play that involves providing children with a variety of materials of objects that can be moved, manipulated, and combined in a different way. The open-ended nature of loose parts play stimulates children’s creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills as they imagine, design, and build using the materials available to them.
This exhibit is great for...
encouraging children to construct their own narratives and unleash their creativity.
Found Objects
Loose parts can be anything from natural items like stick, rocks, and leaves to engage everyday objects such as fabric scraps, cardboard, tubes, and building blocks. In early childhood settings, loose parts mean alluring, beautiful, found objects and material that children can move, manipulate, control, and change in an unscripted way while they play.
Inclusive
Because there is no right or wrong way to play with these materials, loose parts is developmentally inclusive. Children of all ages, abilities, and skill levels can interact with them successfully.
Development
Loose parts play offers numerous benefits for children's development. It encourages fine and gross motor skills as children manipulate and arrange objects. It promotes cognitive skills such as spatial awareness, mathematical concepts, and cause-and-effect relationships. It also supports social-emotional development as children engage in cooperative play, negotiation, and communication with peers.
Sponsored by:
Xcel Energy Foundation
Great River Energy
Jarraff Industries
Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation