In this simple loose part line up activity, children learn SO MUCH!
- Fine motor skills
- Pre-writing skills
- Color matching
- Colors of the rainbow
- Heart shape
But first, what are loose parts?
This idea of ‘loose parts’ was created by architect Simon Nicholson to describe open-ended materials that can be used and manipulated in many ways.
Simply put, they are materials that the children can move around and use to create anything from their imagination!
I wish we have some fancy, beautiful wooden loose parts at home. But we don’t.
Our version of loose parts at home?
Bottle caps, pouch caps, beads, pompoms, sticks, pebbles etc. You get the idea.
These non-expensive loose parts from my recycling bin, nature and resource cupboard work just as well as open-ended materials in play!
At my home, I have a drawer full of loose parts from the recycling bins (think bottle caps, yogurt cups, pouch lids, TP rolls etc). We have a pile of rocks, pebbles and sticks in our backyard. And my children have full access to these materials all day.
Related: Keep the trash and make more learning toys!
Gathering the loose parts
I enlisted my children’s help to find all the loose parts we need in the rainbow colors. They knew just where to find them!
Then I drew out the rainbow hearts and they were on task right away! Each grabbed the loose parts in his/her favorite color and started lining them on the line.
Now pay attention to how they use their little fingers to pick up each small bead/ Lego/ pompom in a pincer grip and place them on the line.
I’m not kidding you, that’s serious muscle training in progress.
This pre-writing workout for the little hands goes a long way to help your child hold a pencil in the future.
Search around your house and you will be surprised by all the ‘loose parts’ you can find! Then time to create these Rainbow Loose Part Hearts!
Related: More RAINBOW goodness on our weather theme learning shelf.
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
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