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We love the loose parts movement, especially for the unlimited ways kids can explore, manipulate and create with them. Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky’s book series, are among our favorites. At the same time, there is a whole world of good that happens when we not only provide parts for play, but we also offer kids the chance to pick, pluck and pull apart objects to make their own loose parts.
This activity is all about that chance—making special time to get nice and destructive. Kids from infancy up will savor the satisfying sensory experience of simply taking the objects apart. Just be sure that the objects you pick can be safe for infants and toddlers to taste, and that you are right there to monitor their mouthing. To some, the chance to be so free and to make a mess will feed an important need. Older children may also get consumed by curiosity and care as they dissect objects and uncover their marvelous inner workings. All can enjoy reconnecting objects to create something new. Fully explore the destruct-reconstruct cycle—so beneficial for kids and so often missed.
One of our favorite thinkers and writers about play, Marc Armitage, summed up much of the value in this play when he said,
“Being destructive for the child in a play context is just as much about tearing up old ideas and notions as it is about tearing up a leaf into tiny, tiny strips...and both should be encouraged.”
You can read more on our blog about why we think destruction is so very valuable and how best to manage the messy sides of the practice. In short, breaking items apart is wonderful STEM work, building curiosity and greater understanding of how objects are constructed. Kids also flex fine motor skills when they pluck, pull and rip thing apart. Finally, kids who are free to pick objects apart and rearrange them in endless ways also build a foundation for flexible thinking and creativity.
Great deals on DIY kits designed for learning through play. Check out the Circle Time Essentials Kit to make the most of this season!