A fun night: A scene from loose parts | Source: Susan Joe Philip

When parents and children brought tires, plastic bottles, cutlery, cardboard boxes, coconut shells and other strange items into the gate, the venue at Lil' Pallikkoodam on Avinashi Road was full of chatter and laughter. As part of Coimbatore Vizha, everyone gathered in the loose parts game event organized by the school.

"Loose parts are items that are easy to find around every house," said Swissah Krishnamurti, the founder of the school. "In this event, these things will be used to make toys. When children create something with the objects they see around, their creativity will increase."

She explained that the loose part of the game is part of raising awareness of the importance of reducing screen time. Both fine motor skills and attention span are affected by spending too much time on electronic devices.

Three-year-old Vidyuth is busy drawing a piece of cardboard for a castle. His mother Abinaya Vishu revealed that the structure will have a tunnel leading to the Dinosaur Park. "We will add a bridge made of popsicle sticks in the park and decorate it with plants and pebbles."

In another area, a cardboard box was reused for the aircraft, and Mahakrithi A, Nila Rahul and Mayuran A were drawing the wings to attach them to the fuselage. "We like to do this, and once we bring it home, we will play it," Nila said.

Heian and his brother Shivan are building the airport. "I just returned from a vacation in Nagpur. I like the airport, so I made it my theme. I use hot melt glue and wood to make the plane, and the runway will be made of black graph paper," Shivan explained.

The Christmas themed projects of the seven parents include a Christmas tree, an igloo and a snowman. "Look inside the igloo," a parent told me. When I did this, I found four children giggling inside, playing with their toys.

Aizha’s cardboard kitchen is fully equipped with stove, utensils, oven and refrigerator made of cardboard and paper. "I love cooking. Do you want to fry eggs?" she asked.

Her mother, Sana Syed, said that they will work on projects every week to make toys from things around the house. "I bring a different theme every weekend. She likes it and I think it makes her very creative. Now she will play this kitchen at home," she said.

When Dhrihika and Rohit tested their musical instruments made from empty kitchen containers, there was a sudden explosion of music. Painted plastic tubes form the xylophone, and old bells hang around the frame. "Dhrihika is my only child. She uses gadgets at home when she is bored. This activity is very interesting and she seems to enjoy the creative process. Now, I will encourage her to play some available things at home," her mother Pretika Mehrani said.

Our editorial values

Printable version | December 6, 2021 2:49:02 PM | https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/lil-pallikkoodams-loose-parts-play-showed-how-everyday-items -could-be-put-to-good-use/article30555381.ece

© THG Publishing PVT Co., Ltd.

Chennai designer Divya N's ongoing virtual exhibition "Jewelry in Narrative" features wearable products and brings together folk art and epics.