Play schemas are patterns of play that children engage in as they explore and make sense of the world around them. These patterns emerge in early toddlerhood and continue until around 5 or 6 years old. There are nine most common play schemas: connection, enclosure, enveloping, orientation, positioning, rotation, trajectory, transforming, and transporting.
The connection schema involves children making connections between objects or people. They may line up toys or connect them in some way, or they may enjoy making connections with oters by holding hands or hugging. Activities that can support this schema include building with blocks, playing with train tracks, or creating patterns with beads or other small objects.
The enclosure schema involves children creating spaces to play in or putting objects inside containers. They may enjoy playing in tents or hiding under blankets, or they may enjoy putting toys in boxes or bags. Activities that can support this schema include playing with dolls or stuffed animals, building forts, or playing with playhouses.
The enveloping schema involves children wrapping themselves or objects up in materials. They may enjoy wrapping themselves in blankets or scarves, or they may enjoy wrapping toys in fabric or paper. Activities that can support this schema include playing with dress-up clothes, creating art with tissue paper or fabric scraps, or wrapping toys in paper or fabric.
The orientation schema involves children exploring the position or direction of objects. They may enjoy lining up toys in a specific order, or they may enjoy exploring the different sides of objects. Activities that can support this schema include playing with puzzles, exploring different shapes and sizes of blocks, or playing with toy cars or trains.
The positioning schema involves children exploring the relationship between objects. They may enjoy stacking blocks or toys, or they may enjoy arranging objects in a specific way. Activities that can support this schema include building with blocks, playing with stacking toys, or creating patterns with objects.
The rotation schema involves children exploring movement and direction. They may enjoy spinning or twirling, or they may enjoy watching objects spin or rotate. Activities that can support this schema include playing with spinning tops, creating art with spin art machines, or exploring different types of wheels and gears.
The trajectory schema involves children exploring movement and direction over a distance. They may enjoy throwing or kicking balls, or they may enjoy watching objects move through the air. Activities that can support this schema include playing catch or soccer, exploring different types of balls, or playing with toy airplanes or rockets.
The transforming schema involves children exploring the transformation of materials. They may enjoy mixing different materials together, or they may enjoy changing the shape or form of objects. Activities that can support this schema include playing with playdough or clay, exploring different types of materials, or creating art with different types of glue or paint.
The transporting schema involves children exploring the movement of objects from one place to another. They may enjoy carrying toys or objects around, or they may enjoy filling up bags or containers and moving them around. Activities that can support this schema include playing with toy trucks or trains, filling up bags with objects and moving them around, or playing with toy shopping carts or baskets.
Play schemas are an important part of a child’s development as they explore and make sense of the world around them. By understanding these patterns of play, parents and caregivers can provide activities and toys that support their child’s learning and development.
Nine Play Schemas
Play schemas are patterns of behavior that children display during playtime. They are a way for children to explore and make sense of their environment and can be observed in children as young as six months old. There are nine most common play schemas, and each one is associated with certain behaviors, interests, and preferences. The nine play schemas are:
1. Connection: This schema involves making connections between objects and people. Children with this schema may enjoy playing with dolls, stuffed animals, or action figures and may create scenarios where these objects interact with each other.
2. Enclosure: This schema involves creating an enclosed space. Children with this schema may enjoy building forts, usig blankets to make tents, or playing in small spaces like under tables or in closets.
3. Enveloping: This schema involves wrapping or covering objects. Children with this schema may enjoy playing with blankets, scarves, or other fabrics and may enjoy wrapping themselves or their toys up in them.
4. Orientation: This schema involves lining up objects or arranging them in a certain way. Children with this schema may enjoy sorting toys by color or size, arranging them in rows or patterns, or lining them up.
5. Positioning: This schema involves placing objects in a certain position. Children with this schema may enjoy stacking blocks or toys, putting objects in a certain order, or arranging objects in a certain way.
6. Rotation: This schema involves turning or spinning objects. Children with this schema may enjoy spinning themselves or their toys, playing with tops or fidget spinners, or watching objects that spin.
7. Trajectory: This schema involves exploring the movement of objects through space. Children with this schema may enjoy throwing balls or toys, running, jumping, or sliding.
8. Transforming: This schema involves changing the properties of objects. Children with this schema may enjoy mixing colors, cutting or tearing paper, or building with blocks or Legos.
9. Transporting: This schema involves moving objects from one place to another. Children with this schema may enjoy carrying toys or objects around, pushing or pulling toys, or playing with vehicles like cars, trains, or trucks.
Toys and supplies that can support these play schemas include:
– Dolls, stuffed animals, and action figures for Connection
– Blankets, sheets, and cardboard boxes for Enclosure
– Scarves, fabrics, and blankets for Enveloping
– Blocks, Legos, and puzzles for Orientation and Positioning
– Tops, fidget spinners, and gyroscopes for Rotation
– Balls, jump ropes, and slides for Trajectory
– Paints, crayons, and play dough for Transforming
– Cars, trucks, and trains for Transporting.
By understanding these play schemas and providing toys and opportunities that align with them, parents and caregivers can support children’s natural tendencies and promote their learning and development through play.
The Age at Which Play Schemas Begin
Play schemas usually start to emerge during the early toddlerhood stage, which is typically between the ages of 1 and 3 years old. However, it is important to keep in mind that every child is unique and may start to demonstrate certain schemas at different times. These schemas often continue to develop and become more refined until around 5 or 6 years old. Understanding when schemas typically emerge can help parents and caregivers to identify and support their child’s play experiences, which can in turn promote healthy development and learning.
Conclusion
Play schemas are a fascinating aspect of children’s play that can provide valuable insights into their development and interests. By understanding the different schemas and observing our children’s behavior, we can better connect with them and support their learning and development. Whether it’s providing toys and supplies that cater to their prticular schema, or simply engaging in play that encourages their natural tendencies, we can foster a love of learning and exploration in our children. So next time you see your child repeatedly doing something that seems random or puzzling, take a closer look and see if you can identify the schema at play. You may be surprised at what you discover!
