Forget about swings and climbing gyms, Mt Kembla Public School students amused themselves with used pots and pans, milk crates, PVC pipes and old car tyres today.
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Mt Kembla is believed to be the first Illawarra school to implement the Loose Parts play program.
School parent Sheridan Novotny, who encouraged Mt Kembla to implement the Loose Parts play space, said the theory is mooted in the belief that children get the most from play that is not prescriptive, that doesn't dictate how they should play or how they should imagine.
"Loose Parts play is a theory that has been around for quite awhile and it is basically letting kids utilise everyday household items to use their imagination and play, build and create together," Ms Novotny said.
"It lets kids just be kids really."
Mt Kembla Public School principal Maria MacDonald said it didn't take the kids long to test out the new play space.
"As you've seen the children actively engaged in creating," she said.
"We had children creating their own musical instruments, some creating their own microphones, they've created tents and they've created their own ball games using just recycled garbage really.
"This space gives them opportunities for conflict resolution and to problem solve.
"We're happy to be the first Illawarra school to run Loose Parts."
Brett Lyon from Reverse Garbage, the Marrickville-based company that implemented Loose Parts play program at Mt Kembla, said the program was getting more and more popular.
The education programs manager said in the last month alone he had taken three bookings in the Wollongong area.
"I've got another two coming up after here, it's really taken off in this area," Mr Lyon said.
He added Reverse Garbage had been around for about 46 years diverting waste from landfill and educating the community about reuse materials.
"Today we've implemented a Loose Parts play program using all sorts of materials that aren't designed for play basically," Mr Lyon said.
"The idea is about putting kids back into exploring and discovery using materials that challenge them to solve problems and just think more creatively.
"More and more schools throughout NSW have been jumping on board this program in recent years."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
