Open-Ended Play

Open-Ended Play: Cultivating Curiosity and Exploration with Loose Parts

This course explores the powerful role of loose parts play in early childhood education and offers educators the tools and strategies to incorporate open-ended materials into their teaching practice. Loose parts—whether natural, recycled, found, or purchased—are flexible resources that foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking in young children. By encouraging exploration and experimentation, loose parts promote cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language development. (4 Hours)
Enrollment expires 1 year from date of purchase.
This online course is presented in English.

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Course curriculum

1. Pre-Assessment
  FREE PREVIEW
1. Origin and Background
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Examples of Loose Parts
  FREE PREVIEW
3. Developmental Impact
4. Loose Parts Theory in Education
5. Loose Parts Theory in Practice
6. Benefits of Loose Parts Play
7. Why It Matters
8. What Is Open-Ended Play?
9. Examples of Open-Ended Play
10. Benefits of Open-Ended Play
11. The Educator’s Role in Open-Ended Play
12. Comparison: Open-Ended vs. Close-Ended Play
13. Chapter 1 Check for Understanding
14. Chapter 1 Reflection
1. Categories of Loose Parts
2. Natural Loose Parts
3. Recycled/Found Loose Parts
4. Commercial/Manmade Loose Parts
5. Art & Creative Materials
6. Household Treasures
7. Sensory & Textural Items
8. Miniature Figures & Props
9. Chapter 2 Check for Understanding
10. Chapter 2 Discussion
1. Age-Appropriate Materials and Safety
2. Infants (0-18 months)
3. Toddlers (18 months-3 years)
4. Preschoolers (3-5 years)
5. Early Primary (5-7 years)
6. Older Children (8+ years)
7. Chapter 3 Check for Understanding
8. Chapter 3 Reflection
1. Spaces for Loose Parts
2. Steps for Environments
3. More Environment Steps
4. Elements of a Great Loose Parts Exploration Space
5. Display
6. Rotation
7. Organization
8. Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Environments in Loose Parts Play
9. Culturally Responsive and Accessibility
10. Multilingual and Multimodal Communication
11. Family and Community Engagement
12. Critical Reflection: Avoiding Cultural Tokenism
13. A Checklist for Inclusive Loose Parts Environments
14. Chapter 4 Check for Understanding
15. Chapter 4 Reflection
1. Developmental Benefits of Loose Parts Play
2. Cognitive Development
3. Social Development
4. Emotional Development
5. Language Development
6. Connecting Loose Parts Play to Curriculum Frameworks
7. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
8. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
9. The Te Whāriki Early Childhood Curriculum
10. Chapter 5 Check for Understanding
11. Chapter 5 Reflection
1. Scaffolding Without Directing in Loose Parts Play
2. The Role of the Educator in Scaffolding
3. Scaffolding Examples in Loose Parts Play
4. Gradually Reducing Support
5. Benefits of Scaffolding Without Directing
6. Scaffolding Strategies in Action
7. Scaffolding is About Balance
8. Observation, Reflection, and Responsive Teaching in Loose Parts Play
9. Observation
10. Reflection
11. Reflective Teaching
12. Documentation
13. Documentation in Action
14. Chapter 6 Check for Understanding
15. Chapter 6 Reflection
1. Course Reflection
2. Course Completion
3. End of Course Quiz
4. Course Feedback Form

About this course

$38.00
4 Clock Hours
All Approved States
Mixed-Age

Open-Ended Play: Cultivating Curiosity and Exploration with Loose Parts

Course curriculum

Getting Started

Before we begin...

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Wrapping it Up

About this course