It was a snowy January afternoon at Brewster Pierce Memorial School when Aimee Motta’s kindergartners got back in their winter gear to head outside for some loose parts (open-ended materials) play in the school’s courtyard. Four Winds educator, Hilary Redman, met these kindergartners outside and explained the materials could be used in any way, as long as they remembered to “be safe, be kind, and be gentle.”
With those guidelines in mind, teachers were excited to see what kinds of purpose and creativity students would discover and make with Hilary’s collection. One kindergartner looked around at the piles of materials, a little uncertain of what to do with this unprescribed invitation. Within minutes, he was immersed in building a fort with pool noodles, figuring out ways to support the frame with bamboo stakes and gutter scraps while thinking about how to make it bigger and better!
Kids were working together, collaborating cheerfully, solving problems, and creating a narrative to go along with their developing structure. Excited to add some coziness to the fort, one kindergartner discovered some burlap and rushed over exclaiming, “Look what I found for comfort!” Other groups of kids worked together to build a huge pile of snow to jump in, while others found satisfaction in shoveling the sidewalk and paths through the snow.
When asked about what surprised her, teacher Aimee Motta remarked, “I did not observe any major conflict or much need for problem solving. A general sharing and caring about each other was very present.” Kindergarten paraeducator, Heather Kenyon-Haff, added that “the loose parts play was very collaborative: problem solving, taking turns, talking to each other, and working with each other towards a goal. Every individual found his or her own way of playing, whether it was in the “kitchen,” the structure, or simply enjoying the sensory play.” That is the beauty of loose parts play. Its open-endedness leads to creativity and exploration, and there is always, as Aimee Motta said, “something for everyone and accessible for everyone.”
Four Winds has a guide to creating an open-ended outdoor play space anywhere with loose parts, including materials to have on hand, adult role, benefits, and books. Check it out here!
