1. Pattern-Making
2. Small World Play
3. Cooking
4. Building
Loose parts make the perfect construction toys. What’s all the fuss about building towers? Well, it’s the perfect recipe for developing early language and motor skills.
Photo by: our_small_adventures
Stacking the rainbow cups and tubes in the photo above requires both hands to explore, hold, release, and place the object. The child is working on their depth perception, and hand-eye coordination as they explore where their body is in the space. It is also the perfect opportunity to explore language concepts including colours, top/bottom, and following directions.
5. Counting
The best way to learn how to count, is to use counting skills in a variety of meaningful ways. The Little Earth Toys rainbow coins set is perfect for number recognition, number identification, and developing matching skills. Download our free counting cards here.
6. Sensory Play
7. Hide and Seek
8. Sorting
Sorting loose parts by their similarities and differences helps children develop a range of thinking skills and builds on the foundations of problem-solving. Have a go at sorting by shape, colour, size, or type.
9. Threading & Stacking
One of the favourite ways to play with the Little Earth Leaves Set is simply threading and stacking. Thread the rings onto the leaves, or build a tower with the coins. This activity is perfect for winding down or practicing mindfulness.
10. Simple Pictures
11. Posting
Posting and dropping objects is a favourite game for all ages. Try creating a DIY posting box with the Little Earth Toys packaging and loose parts collection. A simple posting activity can help develop dexterity, concentration, perseverance and strengthen children's ability to rotate objects.
12. Currency
Wooden coins are a perfect way to learn about basic money concepts. Set up a shop and practice purchasing and giving change to the customers. The best part is children can strengthen their maths skills and understandings, all while having fun.
So how do you play with loose parts?
The simple answer is anyway you imagine. Hold them, spin them, build with them and post them. Loose parts are a simple design that invites creativity and exploration.