Unlocking the Magic of Your Child’s Play

Have you ever watched your child throw toys across the room or carefully line up stones in a row and wondered why they do it? These behaviors are more than just play—they are essential ways children learn about the world around them. These repeated patterns of play are called schemas and understanding them can open up new ways to support your child’s natural curiosity and development.

What Are Schemas?

Schemas are recurring patterns in children’s play that help them make sense of their experiences. Think of them as the building blocks of learning, allowing children to explore ideas like movement, space, and connection through hands-on discovery. Each schema reflects a unique way your child is engaging with and understanding their world.

For example:

• A child who enjoys throwing objects is exploring motion and cause-and-effect.

• A child who lines up toys is learning about order and spatial relationships.

By recognising these schemas, you can offer your child opportunities that match their interests and encourage their growth.

Which Schemas Does Your Child Enjoy?

Here’s a simple guide to some common schemas and how you might support them at home:

Trajectory: Children fascinated by movement—jumping, throwing, swinging—are learning about how things move and what happens next. Try: Water play, balls, swings, messy painting, or running games.

Transporting: If your child likes moving objects from one spot to another, they’re developing skills in organization and purpose. Try: Buckets, baskets, wheelbarrows, or natural materials like leaves and stones.

Enclosing: Some children enjoy creating boundaries or hiding objects in containers or spaces. This helps them understand containment and space. Try: Boxes, tunnels, blocks, or containers.

Connecting: Children who build and join pieces together are exploring cause and effect and problem-solving. Try: Blocks, train tracks, magnets, or simple construction toys.

Rotation: Spinning, rolling, or twirling helps children learn about circular motion and balance. Try: Tops, hula hoops, wheels, or spinning chairs.

Positioning: Lining up toys or objects in specific ways helps children learn about order and relationships in space. Try: Dominoes, tiles, natural objects like stones or leaves.

Enveloping: Covering or hiding themselves or objects supports a sense of security and creativity. Try: Blankets, pillow forts, tents, or scarves.

Orientation: Exploring different viewpoints, like climbing or hanging upside down, develops spatial awareness. Try: Climbing frames, swings, cardboard boxes to crawl through.

Transforming: Children who enjoy changing or decorating materials express creativity and experiment with cause and effect. Try: Dress-up clothes, painting, cooking, or craft materials.

Why Do Children Explore Different Schemas?

Each child is unique, and the schemas they explore reflect their individual interests, developmental stage, and environment. Some children love movement and action, while others prefer quiet, detailed play. The spaces and materials you provide shape their opportunities to discover and grow.

Children often move between different schemas, each one developing different skills—from physical coordination and problem-solving to social interaction and emotional understanding. Their play is driven by curiosity and a natural desire to learn about their surroundings.

How Can You Support Your Child’s Learning?

Understanding schemas helps you provide play experiences that truly support your child’s learning journey. There’s no "right" or "wrong" schema—each is important.

• Observe your child’s play without rushing to change it.

• Offer materials that invite exploration in their preferred schema and encourage trying new ones.

• Ask gentle questions that spark reflection, like “What happens when you move that there?” or “How could you build that differently?”

• Create spaces where your child feels safe to explore and express themselves freely.

By embracing the patterns of play your child chooses, you nurture their creativity, confidence, and love of learning.

A Reggio Emilia Perspective

In the Reggio Emilia approach, children are seen as capable, curious learners with the power to lead their own learning. By paying close attention to your child’s play schemas, you honour their ideas and support them as they explore their world in meaningful ways. Play is not just a break from learning—it is the heart of it.

Enjoy watching your child’s world unfold through their play. With your thoughtful support, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every stick, stone, or splash holds the promise of discovery.