'Don't Hog, Share and Just Let Your Imagination Flow': Lessons from Structured and Unstructured Loose Parts Play in Middle Primary School Classrooms
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| Title: | 'Don't Hog, Share and Just Let Your Imagination Flow': Lessons from Structured and Unstructured Loose Parts Play in Middle Primary School Classrooms |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Kym Simoncini (ORCID |
| Source: | Australian Educational Researcher. 2025 52(1):703-720. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 18 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education Higher Education Postsecondary Education Early Childhood Education Grade 3 Primary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Elementary School Students, Student Attitudes, Partnerships in Education, Universities, Elementary School Teachers, Play, 21st Century Skills, Imagination, Grade 3, Block Scheduling, Teaching Methods, Child Development, Manipulative Materials, Teacher Attitudes, Interpersonal Competence, Creativity |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s13384-024-00737-w |
| ISSN: | 0311-6999 2210-5328 |
| Abstract: | Despite the many benefits of play, within primary school, play is often reduced to lunch breaks, particularly as children move to higher grades. Loose parts play affords children opportunities to develop imagination and 21st-century skills (collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking). As part of a larger project, two Year 4 classes in an Australian primary school (two teachers and 46 children, aged 9-10 years) engaged in one hour of structured or unstructured loose parts play during class time for eight weeks using a Nüdel Kart (loose parts play cart). Children in the structured play group were set challenges and taught creative attitudes and processes. Data was collected through children's surveys and focus groups and teacher interviews. Children and teachers were overwhelmingly positive about the play sessions. Children enjoyed the opportunities for construction, social skills and creativity, while teachers focused on inclusion and social skills. Future classroom practice recommendations include integrating both play types and meeting creativity and social and emotional curriculum requirements through loose parts play. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1460963 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Despite the many benefits of play, within primary school, play is often reduced to lunch breaks, particularly as children move to higher grades. Loose parts play affords children opportunities to develop imagination and 21st-century skills (collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking). As part of a larger project, two Year 4 classes in an Australian primary school (two teachers and 46 children, aged 9-10 years) engaged in one hour of structured or unstructured loose parts play during class time for eight weeks using a Nüdel Kart (loose parts play cart). Children in the structured play group were set challenges and taught creative attitudes and processes. Data was collected through children's surveys and focus groups and teacher interviews. Children and teachers were overwhelmingly positive about the play sessions. Children enjoyed the opportunities for construction, social skills and creativity, while teachers focused on inclusion and social skills. Future classroom practice recommendations include integrating both play types and meeting creativity and social and emotional curriculum requirements through loose parts play. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0311-6999 2210-5328 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s13384-024-00737-w |
