As parents, you often see your child exploring the world in exciting ways, like filling and emptying containers or spinning objects. These behaviours may arise from schemas in child development — patterns of repeated behaviour that help children make sense of their world through play.
In this blog, we will define Schema in child development. We will discuss common types and activities you can do at home to support schema play.
What is Schema?
Schema meaning refers to a pattern of repeated behaviour that helps children make sense of the world. It’s how they organise their thoughts and actions during play and exploration. You can observe schemas in children’s learning through various forms of play as they attempt to understand how things work around them.
For example, a toddler dropping toys from a high chair could be exploring a trajectory schema, discovering how objects fall and observing gravity in action. Recognising children’s schemas can help you:
- Understand why children are doing certain things.
- Plan activities that build on their interests.
- Support learning in ways that align with their natural tendencies.
Identifying schemas in child development helps us view the world from a child’s perspective and create tailored experiences to support their growth. The EYFS framework emphasizes exploration, active learning, and critical thinking, all of which align with the role of schemas in fostering meaningful and lasting cognitive development.
Common Types of Schemas in Children
Here are some examples of common types of children’s schemas you might notice in your child’s play:
- Trajectory Schema: Experimenting with movement, like throwing, dropping, or rolling objects.
- Transporting Schema: The fascination with moving objects from one place to another, like carrying toys in a bag or pushing them in a wagon.
- Enclosing Schema: A focus on boundaries, such as building walls with blocks or placing objects inside containers.
- Rotation Schema: An interest in spinning objects, such as wheels, tops, or even themselves.
Recognising these children’s schemas patterns provides insight into your child’s learning process.
How Parents Can Support Schema Development at Home
By supporting schema play at home, you encourage exploration and creativity. Here are some activities to try:
- Trajectory: Roller Painting — Roll objects through paint on a large sheet of paper to explore movement and direction.
- Transporting: Carrying Objects — Practice moving things around the house or creating a “train journey” with soft toys to build coordination and problem-solving.
- Enclosing: Building a Fort — Use blankets or boxes to create a cosy fort, supporting imaginative play and spatial awareness.
- Rotation: Rolling Playdough — Roll out playdough together, experimenting with shapes and sizes to support fine motor skills.
Once you identify a schema, introduce new challenges to expand your child’s thinking, like puzzles or sorting games. Let them experiment freely, following their curiosity. Engage with them by describing their actions, asking questions, and sharing excitement to reinforce learning and strengthen your bond.
Why Schemas Matter In Early Childhood
Understanding schemas helps you connect with your child’s learning style. By supporting schemas, you can:
- Foster your child’s natural curiosity and creativity.
- Encourage children to deeper learning through meaningful play
- Strengthen your connection by engaging in their interests.
Children learn best when they can freely explore and experiment. Supporting schema children’s learning allows you to celebrate their growth and the joy of childhood.
Contact Us
If you’re interested in providing your child with a nurturing environment where they can explore and develop through schema-based learning, we’d love to welcome you to Keren’s Nursery in London.
Our dedicated team is committed to supporting your child’s growth in a fun, engaging, and educational setting. Contact our nursery today to book a visit here!
