Understanding Schematic Play: Supporting Children’s Development Through Repeated Actions
Watching children at play is truly fascinating! Some children seem to have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, while others may appear to be doing the same thing repeatedly, seemingly without an end goal. However, both types of play are an essential part of children’s learning journey.
Children experience schemas of play as strong urges, which is why they can find it very difficult to stop doing something and in which they seem unable to control and compelled to complete. However, it is important that children are allowed to satisfy, channel and enhance these urges, to support and develop children’s thinking and understanding. When children are exploring their schematic play interests, they are usually highly engaged and absorbed in their task which can spark new ideas, consolidate learning and aid critical thinking skills. These “schemas” are not random; they reflect the child’s urge to understand and explore their world.
What is Schematic Play?
Schematic play refers to the repeated actions children engage in, which help them understand concepts like how things work, how objects interact, or the world around them. It can often be seen as children follow urges or patterns in their play, driven by their own curiosity and brain development. Each child may explore different schemas based on their interests, abilities, and developmental stage. Understanding these schemas and observing them in action allows adults – whether parents or educators – to better support children in their learning.
Common Schemas in Early Years Play
Here’s an overview of some key schemas and how you can support them in your setting:
1. Transporting Schema
Children who are exploring this schema love to move things from one place to another. You might see them filling bags, baskets, or pushing toy cars or prams around. This action helps them develop an understanding of distance, location, and object permanence. To support this schema, provide a variety of transportation tools like baskets, trolleys, trucks, and even wheelbarrows for outdoor play. Sand and water play with containers, funnels, and trays can also be great ways to explore this schema.
2. Trajectory Schema
This schema is often one of the earliest observed. Children are fascinated by how things move, whether it’s dropping objects, rolling balls, or simply watching things fly through the air. This schema supports their understanding of movement, force, and cause and effect. To support this, provide water or sand play with funnels and pipes, ball play, or simple experiments involving rolling and dropping objects. Streamers, bubbles, and blowing activities can also spark interest.
3. Enveloping Schema
When children are exploring the enveloping schema, they are interested in whether something exists when it’s hidden. This often involves wrapping, covering, or concealing objects. You might see children wrapping themselves in blankets or exploring materials like scarves or hats. To support this, offer materials like dressing-up clothes, blankets for building dens, or nesting toys such as Russian dolls. Activities like wrapping presents or creating dens will help children explore this schema.
4. Enclosing Schema
This schema is focused on containing or enclosing objects within boundaries. Children will enjoy placing objects inside boxes, pens, or other enclosures. It’s different from the enveloping schema in that it focuses on containment rather than hiding or wrapping. To support this, provide construction materials like blocks, fences, and track sets, or even simple creative materials for making enclosures. You might also provide materials to create borders or walls for their structures.
5. Transforming Schema
Children who explore the transforming schema are interested in how things change, whether in appearance, shape, or consistency. You might observe them mixing paints, changing materials, or disassembling objects. They are experimenting with cause and effect. To support this schema, offer materials like playdough, mud, sand, or gloop. Scientific experiments like mixing vinegar and baking powder can also fascinate children with this schema.
6. Rotational Schema
Children interested in the rotational schema are drawn to objects that spin, twist, or turn. This could include exploring wheels, spinning tops, or even spinning themselves around. This is a great way for children to develop coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. To support rotational play, provide toys with spinning components, such as windmills or cogs. You can also take children outside to roll down a hill or visit a roundabout at the park.
7. Positioning Schema
Positioning involves arranging, ordering, and lining things up. Children love to create patterns or group objects in a specific way. This schema is crucial for laying the groundwork for future mathematical learning. It helps children explore classification, symmetry, and sequencing. You can support this schema by providing loose parts like sticks, stones, or wooden pieces for creating patterns, as well as toys for arranging and organizing (like animals, cars, or small figures).
8. Connecting Schema
The connecting schema is all about linking objects together. Children may enjoy building train tracks, connecting Lego pieces, or threading beads. This schema helps children understand relationships, force, and the concept of joining and separating. To support this schema, provide construction toys, string, glue, and other materials for creating connections, such as threading beads or making junk models.
9. Orientation Schema
Children exploring the orientation schema are keen to understand how objects look from different perspectives. They may enjoy activities like lying on the floor or climbing to see things from above. This schema helps children develop physical confidence and spatial awareness. Encourage this schema by providing space for climbing, rolling, and swinging. Mirrors, magnifying glasses, and yoga activities can further support their exploration.
How to Support Schematic Play
When supporting schematic play, it’s important to observe the child’s interest and provide resources that align with their schema. Ask yourself:
- What action is the child carrying out?
- Have I seen the child doing this somewhere else?
- What resources or activities could enhance or extend this play?
Encourage their exploration by introducing new materials, tools, or challenges related to their interests. Allowing children to follow their own urges helps them learn at their own pace and strengthens their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Conclusion
Schematic play is an essential part of children’s learning and development. By understanding the various schemas, you can create an environment that fosters curiosity, engagement and deep thinking. The key is to observe children closely, identify their schema and provide resources and opportunities for further exploration. This will not only satisfy their current interests but will also help them build the skills they need for future learning.
Guiding The Young Ones 
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