Play ideas for every play schema

Have you ever watched your child play and wondered what is going on inside their little mind? As a parent, it's natural to want to understand your child's behaviour and how they are developing. This is where schemas come into play. Swiss Psychologist Jean Piaget (1952) defined schema as "a cohesive, repeatable action sequence possessing component actions that are tightly interconnected and governed by a core meaning."

From the moment a child is born, they begin to develop patterns of behaviour known as schemas. It all starts with basic schemas such as sucking and grasping, but as children grow and develop, their schemas become more complex and they begin to explore the world around them. Eventually, children start exploring vertical, horizontal and circular movements, and these movements become integrated and coordinated.

Schemas are focused on the doing aspect of play, allowing children to explore and interact with the world around them in a physical way. By providing different opportunities for children to explore the same schema, we allow them to deepen their understanding and explore the schema in greater depth.

Understanding schemas allows us, as parents, to view behaviour in a positive light and work with our children rather than against them. Rather than trying to control behaviour, we can see it as an opportunity to explore and extend upon their understanding.

By recognizing and understanding schemas, we can give our children a framework to explore and learn about the world around them. It also allows us to focus our attention when observing our children's play and plan play experiences that support their development.

““a pattern of repeatable actions””

— Chris Athey

Enveloping Schema

Children with an enveloping schema love to wrap things up, such as dolls or toys, with blankets or cloths. They enjoy the process of enveloping and uncovering, and repeating the process over and over again. Parents might observe their child wrapping a toy car with a blanket or cloth repeatedly.

1. Build a pillow fort or play tent where your child can crawl inside and feel enveloped by the soft walls.

2. Provide large sheets of paper and encourage your child to wrap themselves up like a mummy or cocoon.

3. Offer a large cardboard box that your child can climb into and decorate with crayons or stickers.

4. Fill a small wading pool with soft objects like pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals for your child to dive into and bury themselves.

5. Create a cozy reading nook with a tent or canopy where your child can snuggle up with a favorite book.

Transforming Schema

Children with a transforming schema enjoy changing the form or shape of objects. They may enjoy molding clay or playdough, cutting paper into different shapes, or mixing colors together. Parents might observe their child molding playdough into different shapes or cutting paper into various forms.

1. Provide modeling clay or playdough for your child to shape and transform into different objects.

2. Offer dress-up clothes and accessories so your child can transform into a new character.

3. Set up a simple science experiment, such as mixing baking soda and vinegar, and observe the transforming reaction together.

4. Create a junk art station where your child can transform recyclables into new creations.

5. Provide a variety of materials, such as fabric scraps and pipe cleaners, for your child to use in creating their own transformation-focused art project.

Transporting Schema

Children with a transporting schema love to move objects from one place to another. They may carry toys around the house or transport objects in carts or trucks. Parents might observe their child carrying toys around the house or pushing a toy cart with objects inside.

1. Set up a toy car track for your child to transport their toy vehicles around.

2. Provide baskets or buckets for your child to transport items from one area to another.

3. Create a sensory bin filled with materials like sand or beans and provide spoons and scoops for your child to transport the materials.

4. Play a game of "hot potato" or "pass the parcel" where your child transports an object from one person to the next.

5. Create a simple scavenger hunt where your child must transport objects to a final destination.

Connecting Schema

Children with a connecting schema are interested in attaching things together, such as puzzles, building blocks, or linking toys. They like to create long chains or connecting items together in a row. Parents might observe their child creating a long chain of lego blocks or linking toys together with chains.

1. Offer a variety of building materials, such as blocks or Legos, for your child to connect and create structures with.

2. Create a string art project where your child can connect strings to create a design or shape.

3. Provide paper and scissors for your child to create a paper chain to connect together.

4. Play a game of "connect the dots" where your child draws lines to connect numbered dots and reveal a hidden picture.

5. Provide a variety of household items, like rubber bands and paper clips, for your child to experiment with connecting and creating their own designs.

Trajectory Schema

Children with a trajectory schema are interested in things that move in straight lines. They may enjoy throwing balls or toys, or watching objects move in a straight path. Parents might observe their child throwing a ball repeatedly or watching cars move in a straight line.

1. Set up a simple ramp and toy car for your child to launch down and observe the trajectory.

2. Create a target for your child to aim objects at, like a bullseye or a basket.

3. Offer a variety of balls for your child to throw, bounce, and observe the trajectory.

4. Create a simple obstacle course for your child to navigate while keeping objects in motion.

5. Provide chalk for your child to draw a hopscotch board and observe the trajectory of their movements.

Positioning Schema

Children with a positioning schema enjoy organizing objects into particular positions. They may sort things by size, shape, or color, or line up their toys in a particular order. Parents might observe their child sorting their toys by size or arranging them in a particular order.

1. Offer a variety of toy figures for your child to position and play with, like dolls or action figures.

2. Create a simple puzzle or sorting activity where your child must position objects in a certain order.

3. Provide a variety of drawing materials, like stencils or templates, for your child to position and trace.

4. Play a game of "Simon Says" where your child must follow commands to position their body in different ways.

5. Create a simple building challenge where your child must position blocks or materials in a specific formation.

Enclosing Schema

Children with an enclosing schema love to wrap themselves up, crawl into small spaces, or hide under covers. They are fascinated by things that enclose them, providing a sense of security and comfort. Parents might observe their child wrapping themselves in blankets or hiding under furniture.

1. Provide a variety of containers for your child to fill and empty, like buckets or boxes.

2. Create a sensory bin filled with small objects for your child

3. Creating a Fort: Provide your child with some sheets and pillows and encourage them to build a fort. This not only satisfies their urge to enclose but also helps them to develop spatial awareness as they figure out how to construct the fort.

4. Playing with nesting dolls: Nesting dolls are a perfect toy to explore the Enclosing Schema. Children can experiment with putting the dolls inside each other and then taking them out again.

5. Building with Blocks: Blocks can be used in a variety of ways to satisfy the Enclosing Schema. Encourage your child to create a wall or a house with blocks. This helps them to develop their fine motor skills and spatial awareness as they stack the blocks together.

Rotating Schema

Children with a rotating schema enjoy things that turn or spin, such as tops, wheels, or spinning toys. They are fascinated by the motion and enjoy watching the rotation. Parents might observe their child repeatedly spinning a top or watching a spinning toy.

1. Spinning tops: Provide your child with a spinning top and encourage them to spin it as fast as they can. You can also have a contest to see who can spin the top for the longest amount of time.

2. Rolling pins: Give your child a rolling pin and some playdough, and encourage them to roll the playdough flat. This activity will engage their rotating schema and help them develop their motor skills.

3. Merry-go-round: Take your child to a playground with a merry-go-round and let them spin it around. This activity will also help develop their vestibular system, which is important for balance and coordination.

4. Swings: Swings are another great playground equipment that engages the rotating schema. Your child can spin around in circles on the swing, or you can push them to spin around.

5. Rotating objects: Provide your child with a variety of objects that rotate, such as a fidget spinner, windmill, or toy helicopter. Encourage them to play with these objects and see how they rotate in different ways.