When Christmas and Loose Parts Play Come Together
Play is vital in the early years, as it helps children develop essential skills, especially social ones. Through play, children learn to share, take turns, collaborate, and resolve conflicts, which are key components of strong social development. In Year 1, building these social skills is a key focus, as it lays the foundation for successful interactions both in and out of the classroom.
Creating a classroom environment conducive to social play involves regularly switching out materials, setting up new spaces, and offering a variety of interactive activities that encourage teamwork and communication. By continually adjusting the classroom setup, we provide children with fresh opportunities to engage with each other, fostering their social growth and making learning both dynamic and collaborative.
As December rolled in, I realized I was running behind on getting my classroom ready for the holiday season. I had intended to set up a small tree and holiday-themed activities, but time seemed to slip away. Rather than stress over it, I decided to improvise. In early December, I set out a collection of random items in the loose parts area and put off bringing in the tree for a few days. What followed was nothing short of magical.
The triangular shelf in the classroom quickly transformed into a tree. Each day, the children took turns decorating it with an eclectic assortment of Christmas bits and bobs. The star-shaped candle holders I had picked up at a rummage sale last summer became the perfect canvas for baubles and tinsel. Instead of the small tree I had planned to bring in, I added an assortment of green painted boxes in various sizes and watched to see what the children would do.
Their creativity didn’t disappoint. The boxes morphed into both Christmas trees and a fort, and the room was filled with excitement as the children collaborated to create something unique. This simple, unplanned moment of loose parts play turned into a wonderful learning opportunity. It not only encouraged imaginative play but also fostered teamwork and problem-solving. The children learned to cooperate and communicate as they decided together how to transform the materials before them. Through their play, they practiced social skills that will serve them well in the future.
This experience reminded me that sometimes, the best moments come from the unexpected. Loose parts play, especially around the holidays, can spark creativity and bring a sense of joy and collaboration into the classroom. Whether it’s a mishmash of decorations or a pile of boxes, when children are given the freedom to explore, they find endless ways to engage and connect with one another. And in the process, they learn valuable social skills that will help them throughout their lives.
