Some loose parts, such as slides, are immobile*. The ‘loose’ in loose parts refers to flexibility of use, not mobility. A problem with slides as loose parts is that too many adults mistakenly believe there’s only one ‘proper’ way to use them—one person at a time, sitting on your butt with your legs in front of you. I refer to this as making loose parts less loose; it’s a crime against play and childhood.

Anyway, slides, when allowed to be used a true variables in the environment, provide kids with endless opportunities to bump up against learning opportunities in all five developmental domains. For example, the lad in the photo below and his peers would roll four or five tires to the top of the slide and then roll them down, enjoying the excitement as they zoomed across the playground.

It was perfectly safe because the staff was supportive of risky play while mindful of hazard mitigation.

Here are some related articles:

*Everything is mobile if you have a large enough lever

Slides At Play

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