Loose Parts

My first exposure to loose parts in an early childhood classroom was on a study tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy in 2002. In each classroom we toured, there were shelves full bits and pieces that I'd never seen in a classroom before. In small bins and trays I saw objects such as small fabric scraps, shiny foil paper that you'd find around candy, buttons, beads, wood scraps, bottle tops, all types of papers scraps, cardboard, and more. Many of the shelves were arranged by color, beckoning the observer to touch and play with the items on display.

Part of the study tour also included a trip to Remida. Remida is a recycling center that collects cast off goods from industry. Inside Remida, visitors can scrounge through bins of materials that had been destined for the trash or recycling center. Industrial size spools that once held thread, plastic gaskets, fabric, metallic paper, foam, springs, and plastic pen casings are a few of the many items lined up for schools and the public to purchase. The clean 'trash' is available for purchase by the pound.

After attending a study tour to Reggio Emilia, several parents from a Reggio inspired school in Santa Monica, started two recycling centers in the Los Angeles area. One is called the ReDiscover Center (https://rediscovercenter.org). The other is Trash for Teaching (http://www.t4t.org/about/press).

I hope you enjoy the next two videos and the Powerpoint full of ideas and photographs of activities.

At the end of the workshop, you can download and print a Professional Development certificate to keep in your portfolio.