Loose parts play helps children develop creative and critical thinking skills by encouraging them to use their imagination and experiment with new ideas freely. Loose parts give children the freedom to arrange and rearrange, essentially using the parts to create their own rules and designs, which allows the focus of the experience to be on the process rather than the product. Fine motor skills are developed and strengthened when children grasp and pick up small objects. EYLF Learning Outcomes 4.1 – Children develop dispositions for learning (curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity) National Quality Standard 1.1.2 – Each child’s current knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities, and interests are the foundation of the program Theorist Link Erik Erikson – Qualitative changes in the way children think. The child is considered an active learner going through stages Principles and