Why do some groups of children work so proficiently with loose parts while others show no interest?
The environments are equally enriched with them, so what then is the problem?
The fault, for lack of better word, may be with the teachers, who are either intimidated by them or have no interest in expanding their thinking.
I have always supported the fact that teachers must be the first explorers of loose parts.
They must be willing to engage, construct, and see the many possibilities they offer.
This does not mean they should do the work for the children. It does however lend itself to the thought that teachers, who are comfortable with loose parts, may then provide provocations for their use.
Just a thought....
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I'm just wondering where you get all of those amazing, large spools??
ReplyDeleteThose are old spools used in factories long ago!
DeleteThank-you for your thought provoking comments Tiziana. From my experience of working with loose parts, I feel that sometimes it is a teachers' beliefs around tidiness that is influential. I also feel that it depends on the teacher's own sense of creativity and the way s(he) supports this type of play through enabling children to access the loose parts in the first place and valuing the process that occurs as a result.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear more about how you move from a group of children and educators with little experience with loose parts, but a strong desire to offer them as an experience, to a group that is engaged with and 'constructive' with these parts.
ReplyDeleteWe are beginning to explore but at the moment kids are either not using them or are using them in inappropriate ways.
What as educators do we do? How can I support the other educators in the centre to get interested in loose parts?
This is always the challenge-Without the educators the loose parts may remain dormant-have you had any workshops with them?
DeleteThe delicate dance between "showing them how" (potentially forever taking their chance to discover for themselves) and a "provocation". As a Reggio inspired teacher I always wrestle with this. "If I don't stack these spools up, how will they ever know these spools can be stacked like this? Shall I trust these children to discover the potential when they are ready? Am I doing enough?
ReplyDeleteYes there is a fine line isn't there. However each great master had a master before him... from them we learn and so the dance continues...
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