Our keiki are back and full of energy and ideas. This is especially evident in our loose parts area. Why do we use loose parts? Loose parts are alluring, beautifully found objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change while they play. Children carry, combine, redesign, line up, take apart, and put loose parts back together in almost endless ways. The materials come with no specific set of directions, and they can be used alone or combined with other materials. Children can turn them into whatever they desire. These objects invite conversations and interactions, and they encourage collaboration and cooperation. Put another way, loose parts promote social competence because they support creativity and innovation. All of these are highly valued skills in adult life today.