Loose Parts...
Little bits of this and that
scraps
pleasing to the senses
infinite possibilities
limited only by our imaginations
amazing
wonderful
loose parts
Today our loose parts building table became a hub of activity.
Initially our friends were focused on video games and super heros. Fun and exciting to be sure, but we know the amazing brains and imaginations of our Birch friends are capable of so much more.
So we paused,
questioned
wondered
waited
And you began creating!
"I'm going to make a home for the squirrel." JA
That sounds amazing. What do you know about squirrel homes?
"They live in tall, tall trees!" JA
Hmmm...I notice your squirrel home is all spread out flat. You told me squirrels live in tall, tall trees. I wonder how you can change your home?
And you began once again and created so much more than just a squirrel home.
"This is his home and this is a diving board! He jumps off here and I'm going to make a swimming pool!" JA
Loose parts magic!
JL you were watching your friend create and you began stacking up your materials. One after another after another into a tall, straight, unified tower. I watched and then,
"It's a trampoline!" JL
I love it! You are thinking about the way your animals move and are both creating something fun and amazing for them to play with! Your rabbit would have SO much fun bouncing on a trampoline!
You weren't finished yet, though!
As others continued to come to this space the creativity also continued to grow!
"I made a playground!" CG
You told me what each and every piece of your structure symbolized. There was a fence all around your playground, three slides, and three things holding the slides up!
Then you found a tiny person to enjoy your creation.
I wondered if everyone might create some variation of play today.
I was most definitely wrong!
"I'm making doughnuts. Unicorn doughnuts!" MT
You assembled the most beautiful tiny creations! Your doughnuts looked as if they were decorated with jewels!
They reminded me of some amazing and beautiful chocolates your teachers received as a kindness gift. Those, too looked like jewels too precious to eat!
JI, you came over and silently began creating. You were SO focused I could tell you had a plan. You were looking at each and every loose part and placing them just exactly where you wanted them. Some pieces were laid flat. Some pieces were standing up tall. Some pieces were balancing precariously on their sides. Each and every one with purpose.
"It's a movie theater!" JI
Oh my goodness. I can see exactly what your vision had been.
You told me about all of the pieces were intended to be.
There was a snack bar, a movie screen, and a place up high where the movie comes on!
As is sometimes the case with these amazing creations, they get bumped or knocked. When your movie theater came toppling down there were tears and hugs, and then a smile as you committed to creating something even better than before!
Loose parts
alluring
beautiful
creative
limitless
wonderful
