Affordance Theory. The possibilities of materials.

“It’s impossible.” said pride. “It’s risky.” said experience. “It’s pointless.” said reason. “Give it a try.” whispered the heart. Unknown

Toddlers try, try and try again when using their hands and fingers to move objects and to manipulate materials. Loose parts are the natural materials for toddlers to try and figure out the world.

Affordance Theory (one of the Teaching Strategies used in Reggio Preschools) from One Hundred Languages of Children by George Forman, Carolyn Edwards and Lella Gandini, states that the world is perceived not only in terms of object shapes and spatial relationships but also in terms of object possibilities for action. This theory is by JJ Gibson.

How do Toddlers see the play of loose part's possibilities for action?

Loose parts help Toddlers to:

· Stack

· Twist

· Knock

· Topple

· Gather

· Collect

· Sort

· Construct

· Offer

· Push, pull

· Glide

· Transport

· Find

· Measure

· Assemble

· Enclose

· Tear down

· Build up

· Dismantle

· Fabricate

· Reorganize

· Balance

· Plan

· Happen

· Reconstruct

· Regard

· Restart

· Spin

· Twirl

· Think

· Surprise

By Heather Jackson

June 2019