Loose parts’ play a significant role in Africa A+’s work because they offer children hands-on opportunities to exercise their creativity and to learn in diverse ways. ‘Loose parts’ are discarded, found and everyday materials sourced from manufacturers, businesses and the local community.

Carole Scott inspired the first Africa A+ iZinto (Xhosa word for things) materials centre in Humansdorp in 2021. A second iZinto is opening in June 2022 in Muizenberg, Cape Town. Our mission is to provide access to discarded materials, and to enable problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity in teachers and children by using open ended materials in joyful and dynamic ways.

A+ and the Grade R children use loose parts to learn about pattern – a mathematical concept where repetition is based on a rule.

Africa A+ facilitated a workshop in the Humansdorp iZinto centre. After the workshop the teachers selected and took materials back with them to their ECD centres to use with the children.

When children play with loose parts, they are using their imagination, innovating, persevering, sharing, problem-solving, and working with early mathematical concepts such as space, shape, balance, measurement, sorting, and counting.

To view and download the Loose parts and the iZinto materials centre document then please click on the download button below

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Quotes

Quotes from participants in our recent workshop. ‘What has changed since you joined A+ training?’

  • My thoughts have changed.
  • I have build more confidence and, I started to believe in myself.
  • It gave me the spirit that I can be a teacher to the children and loving one another.
  • I am a better person.

There is a lot I have learnt because when starting here I didn’t know a thing.

  • I have learned so many things that I never could have thought of.
  •  I have learned a lot and have also learned to give children opportunities to be
    creative.
  • Positief te dink (Think positively).
  • My critical thinking evolved and expanded.
  • Jy kom leeg en jy gaan weg altyd vol (You come empty and you always go away
    full]).

Highlight

A+ encourages teachers to actively engage children in learning through movement and play. Faith in Action Educare is playing a fun game that teaches the children about space and position, listening and following instructions, and co-operation.

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