The idea for Loose Parts Play originated from Simon Nicholson's (1971) Theory of Loose Parts.

Why use Loose Parts?

Using Loose Parts in play encourages

• creativity and imagination
• exploration ...

Setting up an invitation to play using natural, manufactured and recycled loose parts (open-ended materials) encourages your child to be curious, explore and discover through undirected play.

Put out things you know will spark your child's interests, e.g shells, beads, buttons, sticks, leaves, bun cases, scoops, clothes pegs ...

We needed a gluten-free play dough recipe for sensory open-ended, process-based play experiences and tried this one. Given to us by a colleague, the recipe was easy to follow and quick to make, although it did require cooking.

To add an extra sensory element to the play experience, we added a teaspoon of cinnamon to the mixture as we cooked ...

This invitation to play was set up to encourage children to explore the world outside their window and how it changed over time.

"What can you see?"

"I wonder what might change?"

"Why do you think...?

"I wonder what I would see if I went outside and looked in through the window?

Include ...

Last week we made salt dough decorations using flour, salt and water and biscuit cutters.

You can find our Air dry salt dough recipe here.

Top Tips when making Air dry Salt dough:

• The thinner you roll out ...

Autumn is a great time to get outside with your kids and explore the natural environment.

In Leaf Hunt Maths, we used the leaves to introduce and develop maths concepts but freshly-fallen leaves are also great for creating colourful autumn crafts.

So grab a paper bag, ...

Autumn, or fall as it's known where I live now, is a great time to get outside with your kids and explore the natural environment.

Grab a paper bag, or recyclable container, and go on a leaf hunt in a local park, or garden. Encourage your child to think about what autumn looks, feels and smells like as they collect leaves, sticks, acorns, ...

Make a pair of binoculars out of just a cardboard tube and some glue. What can you see through them? Maybe you will use your binoculars to play I spy, or go exploring, or in imaginative play. Have fun!

What you need:

• 2 cardboard tubes (about 10 cm long)

or a cardboard tube e.g. ...