“CAN LOOSE PARTS EVEN BE USED?”

I hear and see all the time, Educators asking in social media groups “How do I use loose parts for infants and toddlers?” Or, “Is there anything safe for under 3’s?”

I know I’m guilty of sharing many photos of loose parts with a million little pieces, but my age group at that time was in the preschool years.

Over the years, I’ve received countless emails and DM’s about how to use loose parts with infants and toddlers.

All of these questions and thoughts of, “I can’t do this” really started to get to me.

Because, I KNOW you can use loose parts in your under 3’s room!

So, I thought I would share some ideas, images and invitations to play; to help educators feel they CAN use loose parts with infants and toddlers!

Now here is my disclaimer…please remember that these photos are for inspiration, ideas and a guideline to get you started.

Please keep your group of children and regulations in mind when choosing what items to use.

INFANT AND TODDLER PLAY SPACE

This play space could be used by either infants or toddlers! It is a simple but yet engaging space filled with traditional materials and loose parts that are all safe for under 3’s!

WHY LOOSE PARTS FOR INFANTS & TODDLERS?

“The best play objects for babies are those which allow them to be as active and competent as possible at every stage of development.” – Magda Gerber

I thought this quote was a great starting point for learning the importance of loose parts for infants.

What I love most about this quote is the use of the words active and competent.

The objects the infant engages with need to provide this because passive and redundant objects provide no challenge or critical thinking.

The theory of loose parts encompasses active manipulation of variables for creative thinking.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

• What play objects are in your infant program currently?
• Do they provide active engagement?
• Do they challenge the infants thinking, movements, and ideas?

LOOSE PARTS FOR INFANTS – VIDEO

LOOSE PARTS & SENSORY PROCESSING

Loose parts bring so many wonderful stimulating textures, visuals, sounds, weights and sometimes even smells & tastes!

Developing sensory systems, as those in young children, NEED rich sensory experiences.

Loose parts naturally provide good sensory stimulation that aid in self-regulation.

For example, a light scarf slowly falling down onto you, lightly touching your skin is a veery different sensory experience from feeling and seeing the textures on a candle stick or napkin ring holder.

BOTH are needed in a developing sensory system!

Another example is crawling while pushing a rolling tube along the floor is great for hand-eye-coordination, but it also provides proprioceptive and vestibular sensory input!

This helps children understand where they are in space and to know where their limbs are and how much force to use on the tube.

EXAMPLES OF LOOSE PARTS FOR UNDER 3’S

There are endless opportunities for play and discovery with these materials. I ALWAYS consider the baskets, boxes and platforms I use to display the loose parts part of play.

LOOSE PARTS & TODDLERS ARE TWO PEAS IN A POD

What do toddlers like to do…MOVE! And take the things they’re playing with them in whatever cart, box or pocket they have.

Then of course…they DUMP them. 👈🏻

Toddlers and the theory of loose parts are two peas in a pod.😉

Children NEED to move and loose parts are meant to be moved.

When I setup an invitation to play, provocation or anything…EVERY ITEM IS UP FOR GRABS.

The child wants to play with the bucket I put all the balls in…so they dump out the balls and proceed to…

👉🏻 put the bucket on their heads
👉🏻 roll it down the slide or around the room
👉🏻 bang on it
👉🏻 fill it with other items and then transport those items to another area.

This is loose parts play.

Dynamic, fluid, active play between the child and the materials. 🙌🏻

If you are in need of some fresh ideas and support with loose parts check out The Modern Educator Toolkit!

Inside you’ll find fresh ideas for planning and strategies that help you use loose parts for under 3’s!

LOOSE PARTS FOR TODDLERS – VIDEO

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

The best thing to do is….KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Simply place a basket of your latest finds on the floor or in any of the centre’s and WATCH THE MAGIC UNFOLD!

You can find example Invitations to Play with the same loose parts in this blog post!

Happy collecting and please share your comments below! Especially any great loose parts finds for infants & toddlers!