Playwork/Loose Parts

“We aim to provide a play environment in which children will laugh and cry; where they can explore and experiment; where they can create and destroy; where they can achieve; where they can feel excited and elated; where they may sometimes be bored and frustrated, and may sometimes hurt themselves; where they can get help, support, and encouragement from others when they require it; where they can grow to be independent and self-reliant; where they can learn-in the widest possible sense- about themselves, about others, and about the world.” -Dr. Stuart Lester

Under the observant eyes of a Playworker, children are invited to direct their own play and have the opportunity to be creative and imaginative with the support of our caring playworkers. Children can build and destroy structures, use tools, interact with nature, dress up, while taking physical, social and emotional risks that develop their confidence, skills and independence.

The role of the playworker is to interact with the children when invited or needed for guidance or support. They also actively maintain the playground, making sure it is stocked with exciting loose parts and organizing it to be interesting and maneuverable for children. The playworkers also continuously inspect the space to make sure that kids have risks and challenges to face if they wish, but no hazards that will surprise them.

Playworkers observe the children and when they see a need for help or redirection, they intervene as subtly as possible in order to keep the play flowing. This might look like placing a soon-to-be needed tool near the child who can then miraculously find what they need, or challenging a kid to hit a target with sticks that is away from other children who were close to the original target. Playworkers also challenge social norms when the children get to see someone other than men working with tools (for the most simple example) or an adult happy to be bossed around by a 5 year old.

What are loose parts?

Loose Parts are basically anything that can be moved around, carried, rolled, lifted, piled on top of one another, or combined to create new things. They have no bells or whistles, they do not do anything and you do not turn them on. Loose parts authentically liberate the imagination and creativity of playing children.

Self-directed play with “loose parts” (tools, boxes, spare tires, fabric, etc.), boosts a child’s sense of agency and creates a more inclusive and reciprocal social environment.

“Playwork is a very specific type of work distinctive from other ways of working with children in a number of ways, particularly in the very hands-off style of adult interaction with children that is at the core of play work…Learning to look at play through the eyes of a Playworker will teach you to better understand what it is children do in those times and places they are free to make their own choices when playing … it is not about what we think they do or what we would like them to do but what they actually do!”  – Malarkey Playwork