The other day, a colleague sent me a photo while traveling through Australia of an established loose parts playground permanently set up inside a school. The word on the street is that loose parts play is everywhere in Australia. So, let’s break down how we can bring more loose parts play to schools in Aotearoa.
1. Test the Waters
Get us in!!! There’s nothing quite like seeing loose parts play in action—with your own students and in your own environment—to get your kura excited about it. Book a play session, then evaluate how it was received by students, kaiako, and your community. I can guarantee this will be the fast track way to getting your kura on board with this mahi.
2. Gather a team
Trust me, you’ll need a tribe. Reach out to other kaiako passionate about play and get them on board. Discuss your big picture and prepare some ammunition to convince management and other kaiako WHY a loose parts shed is needed. See here for some resources.
3. Find a hiding place
Storage. The most boring roadblock to starting a shed. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: there are millions of good hiding places in schools for stashing loose parts. Think pool sheds, P.E. sheds, sandpit sheds, cupboards under classrooms, hallways, old cloak bays. You don’t always need a shed, but if you do, think about how you can fund it—cake sale, anyone?
4. Start foraging
Calling all undercover hoarders—you’re going to love this step. First step is to start looking around your school and asking your caretaker for old wheelie bins and milk crates. Schools are often a graveyard for loose parts. Visit your local recycling centres, tell them what you’re doing, be nice, and they might start putting stuff aside for you. Dumpster dive, hit up your second-once-removed cousin who’s a plumber for pipes, raid the op shops—go wild! See a list of our essential loose parts here.
5. Play it safe
I can hear the collective groan, but GET YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY SORTED. We DON’T want any major accidents while kids are playing—sort this out BEFORE play starts so the it can stay safe. Luckily I’ve got you covered with this easy how to blog post.
6. Use it or lose it
If those loose parts sit around for too long, either your caretaker is going to chuck them or kids are going to pocket them (although I don’t quite know how they’d pocket a milk crate). Be that brave kaiako who’s happy to be an early adopter. Test them out in different locations around your school, try different group sizes, maybe give kids a challenge before letting them go free-range if it makes you feel more comfortable… just try, try, try and see what happens!
7. Phone a friend
I would LOVE to help you iron out the challenges of making your shed a thriving asset to your kura. I’ve worked alongside many schools and organisations to kickstart their own loose parts offering. I have bundles of resources, coaching experience, and passion for play, and I’d love to walk alongside you. It’s affordable and effective – check out Newton Central’s journey in how we supported them. Reach out to find out more.
‘Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time’
– Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Keep playing beautiful people.
