The Theory of Loose Parts

The Theory of Loose Parts came from Simon Nicholson.  He said that in any environment, the degree of creativity and inventiveness is directly proportional to the number of variables in it.  Nicholson suggested that a beach is a good example of a loose parts environment.  It has many adaptable materials like sand, water, rocks and sea shells and most children can spend hours absorbed in play there.  

Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, taken apart and put back together in many different ways.  Here are some examples:

• pine cones,

• shells

• stones,

• stumps,

• sand,

• gravel,

• fabric/blankets,

• twigs,

• wood,

• blocks,

• balls,

• buckets,

• baskets,

• crates,

• boxes,

• logs, 

• rope,

• beads

• etc.

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  Try choosing 3 different open ended items out as in invitation to play.  For example:
  
  

  Yarn, curtain rings and play dough….

  
  

  Water, feathers and plastic cups…

  
  

  Tin foil, sticks and buttons…
  
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   For more information and ideas... check this out...
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  http://museumnotes.blogspot.ca/2011/02/playing-with-loose-parts.html