Loose parts play and creativity

"Creativity is the key to success in the future, and primary education is where teachers can bring creativity in children at that level." - Beloved Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

"Our task regarding creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more" - Loris Malaguzzi

Well, now with these quotes we have established that creativity is important in a child's life, and it is our responsibility to help him/her.

But, how can we help them get creative?

Let them PLAY.

"Almost all creativity involves purposeful play" said Abrahm Maslow.

Just play?

 Yes, just open ended play using open ended materials.

What are open ended materials?

Open ended materials are those which young children use in any way they like within safety limits. There is no “one way” of playing with them. Some examples are crayons, paint, clay, play dough etc.

What are loose parts?

 Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways.

For example, twigs, seeds, buckets, buttons, fabric, stones etc.

They can be natural or synthetic.

Looks simple right? It's what our kids play with day in and day out. Here I’m sharing a few of Sid and Nidhi's creations with loose parts. We can see their perception and understanding of some objects (primarily construction vehicles for Sid). 

A flower

A Digger

A Dandelion

A front loader with back hoe

A loader

A Firetruck

A coconut tree

A crane

Tally marks

Scissors (made from bridge parts of wooden train tracks) 

Loris Malaguzzi said in The Hundred languages of children “They(children) are autonomously capable of making meaning from their everyday life experiences through mental acts involving planning, coordination of ideas and abstraction..."

How true!!