Loose Parts 4 - by Lisa Daly & Miriam Beloglovsky (Paperback)

About the Book

The newest installment of the wildly popular Loose Parts series focuses on including families and competency building.

Book Synopsis

Loose parts are natural or synthetic found, bought, or upcycled materials--acorns, hardware, stones, aluminum foil, fabric scraps, for example--that children can move, manipulate, control, and change within their play. Loose parts capture children's curiosity, give free rein to their imagination, and encourage creativity.

In the newest installment of the wildly popular, award-winning Loose Parts series, Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky focus on including families and competency building. With inspiring full-color photographs Loose Parts 4 is organized around competencies and life skills children need for success in the future: knowingness, engagement, risk, connections, leadership, innovative thinking, and creativity.

Lisa and Miriam explain the value of loose parts, detail how to integrate loose parts into the environment and children's play, and specifically focus on loose parts for children in family environments--helping educators engage families and extend learning beyond the classroom.

Review Quotes

"This book brings back memories of my own open-ended play as a child and explains how this type of play builds the skills needed for becoming successful adults. It provides a wonderful combination of practicality and theory. It could be highly useful for teachers, families and those who develop policy." --Julie Powers, professor, University of Hawaii Maui College, author of Parent Engagement in Early Learning and co-author of Nature-Based Learning for Young Children

"Loose Parts 4 provides parents and families with simple, accessible, inspiring and creative inspiration to help their children experience the skills needed for success in more than just their education, but throughout their entire life. I highly recommend Loose Parts 4, and all the other Loose Parts series, for all educators to keep their practice fresh, inspired and filled with wonder for both themselves and the children." --Mary Muhs, department Chair, Early Childhood Education, Rasmussen College- Twin Cities Office and author of Family Engagement in Early Childhood Settings

"Lisa and Miriam have taken mountains of research and magically condensed it and made it relevant to all who have young children. Their introductory chapter is the best summary of research for the whole child that I have come across. They put all the articles, studies, and thinking into simple and understandable language. I loved this book." --Robin Chappele Thompson, PhD, co-author of StoryMaking, and director of early learning in Manatee County school district

"A book bursting with inspiration on how parents and educators supporting families can repurpose and upcycle the materials found in the home to create powerful play experiences. The authors encourage us to look for the simple and open-ended materials right inside our cupboards to create play spaces that help unleash the child's creative spirit and foster 21st-century skills." --Michelle Kay Compton, MA, co-author of StoryMaking, and early specialist in the Manatee school district

About the Author

Lisa Daly, MA, is a professor of early childhood education at Folsom Lake College in Folsom, California. She has over thirty years of experience as an early childhood teacher, director, and educator. She has served on community and Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) boards, including the statewide Child Development Training Consortium advisory board. She is passionate about creative arts and has directed art programs for thousands of children at community family events and camps. She has also presented numerous workshops for educators on art, storytelling, language and literacy, sensory experiences, and music and movement. Lisa is the coauthor of the popular award-winning Loose Parts series and Early Learning Theories Made Visible.

Miriam Beloglovsky, MA, is a professor of early childhood education at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California, and has had the pleasure of advising and guiding students for over twenty-five years. She is a strong advocate for children, youth, and families, and consults and supports a variety of family, children, and youth programs, including THRIVE Family Development Network and My Street of Dreams. She has served as a keynote speaker, presenter, and board member to a number of organizations and conferences. Miriam is the coauthor of the popular award-winning Loose Parts series and Early Learning Theories Made Visible.