Developing the Will of Young Children through Loose Parts Play

Abstract

Early childhood is the critical period for cultivating and enhancing important characteristics in young children, especially perseverance - the ability to pursue goals over time despite the difficulty. Perseverance can be nourished by the will, which is the passion that comes from determination and striving to achieve goals. Conscious and unconscious, children’s actions are driven by the will. Therefore, adults play an important role in developing the will of young children in the right, appropriate, and their good direction. Children learn from experience and environment. Adults can establish a rich environment with loose parts that are open-ended materials in everyday use, such as nature-based materials, wooden-based materials, plastic, metal, ceramic/glass, fabric/ribbon, and packaging. Provide space and time for children to participate in free play under adult supervision, observation, and engagement. Allow children to lead in play while adults act as a co-players and use open-ended questions to motivate ideas, imagination, and languages. Furthermore, prepare big-sized outdoor loose parts that can enhance risk-taking behavior in young children and lead to self-confidence and self-control, including the ability to solve  problems and make decisions. The strong will that is cultivated in the early years is an essential characteristic for young children to live and learn in the 21st century.