Play in Action - Little Learners, Big Discoveries!
🌈 Early Childhood Schemas
Play in Action - Little Learners, Big Discoveries!
If you have ever watched a young child, endlessly drop a spoon from their highchair or spin in circles with pure joy, you have already seen schemas in action! In early childhood, schemas are repeated patterns of behaviours that children use to explore and understand the world. They are an import part of play that should not be overlooked.
Let’s take a look at some common early childhood schemas which you may have seen your child do at home.
🔄 Trajectory Schema
Ever wonder why baby’s chuck toys over the side of the pram, you pick it up and they throw it back over again? This is all about movement; throwing, dropping, or watching things fly is a trajectory schema!
Example: Throwing toys or objects across the room, dropping items from a highchair or table, kicking or rolling balls, watching things fly through the air, running, jumping, or climbing up and down
🧱 Enclosing Schema
An enclosing schema is when a child uses creative ways to surround or “wrap around” things—whether that’s toys, objects, or even themselves! It’s their way of experimenting with space and structure in a fun and hands-on way.
Example: Building a fence of blocks around their toys or drawing circles around objects, climbing inside boxes, hiding things in boxes or even hiding themselves under.
🚗 Transporting Schema
A transporting schema is when a child loves to move things from one place to another, often using bags, boxes, or vehicles. It’s their way of exploring how objects travel and how they can control their environment.
Example: Carrying toys around in a bag, bucket, or even their pockets! Pushing balls down slops, moving vehicles around.
🌀 Rotational Schema
A rotational schema is when a child loves anything that goes round and round—from spinning themselves to turning objects. It’s their way of exploring movement, control, and the fascinating world of rotations.
Example: Twirling ribbons, spinning wheels, or simply spinning in circles.
🧭 Positioning Schema
A positioning schema is when a child enjoys placing things in particular positions or patterns. Whether it’s lining up toys or arranging objects carefully, it’s their way of exploring order and control in the world around them.
Example: Lining up cars in a perfect row or carefully placing toys side by side.
🧗 Connecting Schema
A connecting schema is when a child enjoys joining things together or pulling them apart. It’s their way of discovering how objects relate, connect, and function in the world around them.
Example: Linking train tracks, stacking blocks, or sticking items together with tape.
🎉 Why Schemas Matter
Schemas are more than just play- they are the building blocks of learning! Through these repeated actions, children develop critical thinking skills, coordination, and understanding of how the world works.
The best part? By recognising schemas, adults can support children’s interests and create richer learning experiences. So next time a child insists on filling and emptying a basket over and over again, you all know - it is not mischief, it’s meaningful learning in action!
Use the links below to learn more about schemas, why they matter and how they promote children’s learning and development.