What Is Loose Parts Play?

In early learning settings, Loose Parts Play refers to play with environmental variables, or loose parts.

The term Loose Parts is commonly attributed to Simon Nicholson’s 1971 Theory Of Loose Parts.

According to Nicholson, loose parts are variables. In his eyes, the “definition goes beyond open-ended materials to include phenomena such as music, gravity, and playing with words, concepts and ideas and much more. This is considerably broader than natural, junk and recycled materials. We need to be mindful of the breadth of possibilities.” (creativestarlearning.co.uk)

Too often adults limit loose parts play to physical objects, but Nicholson felt that such play encompassed play with language, concepts, living things, and more. For example, cooking–with all its variables–is loose parts play.

A Community Playthings article explains, “Loose parts possess infinite play possibilities. They offer multiple rather than single outcomes: no specific set of directions accompanies them; no single result is inevitable. Unlike a jigsaw puzzle, whose pieces are meant to be fitted together in a specific way to make a single picture, loose parts can be joined in many ways. A scarf, for example, can become a blanket to swaddle a baby, a platform for a picnic, a fishing pond, a cover for a fort, or a veil covering the face of a bride.”

It must be noted that, as far as Nicholson would be concerned, the above mentioned puzzle pieces are indeed loose parts. They are variable in the environment and, as such, can be used in many other ways–if the authority figure who happens to be in charge allows it. For example, puzzle pieces could be used in dramatic play as cereal or gold coins, they could be used in art projects, or they could be used to replace missing gingerbread figurines on a Candyland game board.

There’s a lot of helpful information about loose parts play in this document from inspiringscotland.org.uk:

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