Loose Parts - Fifth Edition

More natural materials were used in this version of "loose parts". Corks and small wood cubes were distributed in a haphazard fashion, across the carpet. There is an element of surprise now, when the children enter the classroom, and we hear it in their voices.

 

Presently, the children are eager to create and want to have a picture taken of every design they come up with. We value each of them, and are encouraging the children to explain more about why they are proud of their creation. As much as we want to preserve each piece, I feel we also want to move towards letting go, resilience, being in the present moment. We want the children to recognize the feelings that accompany taking a risk and creating a piece that reflects their interpretation, in the moment. 

Balance and placement were important here.

Organic shapes flowing.

 

Spatial sense revisited.

Colours of the rainbow.

"It's a Disney castle."

This child liked that this piece would start to roll, and

challenged themselves to make it taller.

Simplistic beauty.

 

We find that children are deciding to work alone, beside somebody, or collaboratively -- depending on the day. Perhaps, depending on the materials presented? And sometimes, depending on the moment.

 

There is much collaboration that takes place. The children have to share the resources -- not "hoard". They are encouraged to take from the pile as inspiration leads them. We hear that they are asking a friend to pass them an item, or asking if they could use something in particular when finished. And when our time has passed and it's time to clean up, more skills are exercised. Bins are placed in the centre of the carpet, sorting occurs, and they move like waves in the ocean --  ebb and flow. This allows for more continuous movement and a relatively quick clean up.

 

We took a risk and embarked on a new project. We are so glad we did! There is so much to be gained through this open-ended exercise. The children love it, and everyday we discover more reasons to continue with this initiative.

 

Thank you for visiting our atelier.

Loose Parts - Fourth Edition

Who can resist the texture of beautiful fabric? Years ago, there used to be a group of parents who would quilt in the front foyer of our school. Their beautiful creation would be sold, via raffle tickets, and a lucky family would go home, the recipient of a stunning quilt, made with love. Somehow, I acquired a bag of scrap materials from this group of quilters. I vaguely remember using these batiq fabric scraps in some creative work with the kinders. But alas, this scrap material ran out. And since the tradition of quilt making at Castor Valley seems to have taken a hiatus, I have been searching for a new line on scrap fabric. This spring, we scored! My mother joined a quilting group -- never having quilted before in her life! Aside from being so proud of her (these quilts are made for patients undergoing cancer treatment) I was also eager to find out if there would be any fabric scraps to donate. I am very grateful for the donations we receive, and there have been numerous art projects that have made use of these scraps.

While brainstorming open ended materials that could be used for our "loose parts" project, the notion of adding fabric to mix, seemed to fit.



Fabric, alphabet letters and dinosaurs. Oh my!

What the children had to say about the fabric:

"It was soft."

"It was flat."

"The fabric can be folded."

This child appeared to enjoy the process of placing

the fabric on in layers.

This collaborative effort required 

communication and teamwork.

Exploring letters in this "title" 

This child was using fine motor skills,

rolling up rugs.

This "pile of laundry" was weighted down.

I'm sure there was a story evolving here!

Fitting pieces together, to make a quilt or mosaic.

Simplistic beauty.

The use of fabric in this edition of "loose parts" reminded me again of the versatility of materials. When I'm at the hardware store, or a yard sale, I'm looking at items with new eyes. Our collections of seemingly random pieces are spurring creativity and wonderful social interactions in kindergarten. 

Thank you for stopping by the atelier.

Loose Parts - Third Edition

This version of "Loose Parts" was so exciting for the children.  There was an element of surprise in the novelty of having new materials to work with -- newly acquired the metal washers, and blue "gem stones". This exercise is a reminder to never underestimate the value of simple materials. The washers were picked up at the local hardware store, and they were a hit! The versatility of simple objects; in the hands of 4 and 5 year olds, is amazing!

Metal washers, plastic gems and frog counters

presented in a haphazard fashion, on the carpet.

 

The children spoke to what they enjoyed about the materials:

 

"The were smooth and sparkly."

"The washers could make towers." -- they can stack.

"These are frogs on lily pads."

"It's a tower."

"Check out my robot!"

The simple replica of an alphabet letter derailed to

create a wonderful form.

"I like dragon cages."

"Frogs at the pond."

 

The children loved their time exploring with seemingly, unrelated objects. "Loose parts" has helped me better understand their skills at drawing connections and making meaning. What began as a light hearted experiment, is quickly gaining momentum and establishing itself as a very valuable practise in our JK classroom. In fact, I now see the value of "loose parts" well beyond kindergarten. It is more than "play" -- innovation comes from expanding upon our schema.

 

Thank you for joining us at the atelier!

Loose Parts - Second Edition

It looks like a mess, right? I have been collecting (with the much help from former students) these caps for a couple of years now. I still have a dream of inspiring the students to create a huge mural made from bottle caps ...  In time, it will come. I wish I'd started the "Loose Parts" project sooner!

 

 

This is our second edition of "Loose Parts" and it explores how unrelated bottle caps and farm animal counters can inspire and be a creative and sensory provocation to 4 and 5 year olds.  We spread these materials out on the area carpet and welcomed the children into the classroom. They donned indoor shoes, and made a bee-line for the carpet.

 

 

 

"There were so many of the same colour."

"They could stick together." -- stack and fit into each other.

"Some were the same and some were different. Some were 

different colours."

Patterning at play

Animals in the barn.

"Animals are in the corners of the X."

"Look at my claws!"

"This is our volcano!"

"Everything is in its own row."

This child created a rattle. MUSIC! This was an unexpected

outcome! I love the inquiry that is taking place!

"This is my person."

 

Creativity and innovation is abound!

Thank you for visiting our atelier.

Loose Parts - First Edition

We've been exploring again! Always on the look-out for enriching experiences, we've taken a risk and tried our hand at a movement or philosophy called "Loose Parts". The idea behind "Loose Parts" is that children are provided with materials that are seemingly unrelated and given the time and space to construct, test, probe and experiment. While at play, they are developing so many valuable skills. Notice I say, "developing" and not "learning". This form of open ended play; without superimposed questions or direction, is thought to lead to innovations and design. I don't feel that it is a new way of thinking, but it is being revisited and newly appreciated, as a multi-disciplinary practise that allows our children to explore at the perfect pace for them. I like to think that there is "flow" between the left and right hemispheres of the brain - a sort of "brain gym".

"Loose Parts" have become a part of our morning routine and we will celebrate our journey in a series of posts. In this first edition, coloured rods and buttons were literally dumped in the middle of the carpet. We didn't know what would transpire... have a look. Within seconds, they were captivated. And so were we!

"It's a garden of flowers and food."

"It kind of looks like a dragon cage."

This child was balancing buttons on the ends of the rods.

"Just" creating. We think it's beautiful!

"Its a house. I put buttons inside."

I have to marvel at the zen quality with which the children are approaching "Loose Parts" time. They create, desconstruct, and create again. We truly celebrate what transpires on the carpet, in terms of language, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

My aunt, who is a furniture designer in Toronto, and my uncle, a retired Professor of Art & Design, have commented on how important it is that children explore their creativity. They admire how these children approach creative tasks without inhibition. In kindergarten, it's all in a day's "work"!

 

Thanks for visiting the atelier!