As you watch children play you may notice repeated patterns in their play theseĀ are known as Schemas.
When children start to play and explore they might do the same thing over andĀ over again as they are learning about the world around them and how it works. This is really good because when children are interested in something it can really help toĀ develop their concentration skills.
This is why it is important not to ignore theseĀ patterns or trying to stop them from doing these things. Instead we need toĀ understand why they are doing things and how it benefits their learning and howĀ we help them develop these schemas. Schemas do not fit into just a childāsĀ particular age as older children may have schemas too.
If you watch children during their play you may see themĀ doing the same kind of play day after day. For example a child might beĀ turning around in circles one day, playing with toys that spinĀ around and then maybe spinning the car wheels. Once you notice somethingĀ that you think might be developing in to schema watch what theyĀ are doing you as will be amazed at how many different things they may do in theĀ same kind of way that you hadn't really noticed. Children that have schematic play are usually absorbed andĀ concentrate on what they are doing because they are very interested in it.Ā Schemas can last for a week or even stretched over months. There isĀ no limit to how long a schema may last.
Types of schemas: Ā
Trajectory-Ā up and down along and back movements
Rotation-Ā Interests in things that rotate.
Enclosure-Ā Interests in boundaries
Enveloping and containing-Ā interest in covering object and putting them inĀ containers.
Connecting-Ā interest in joining things together in various ways and forms
Transporting-Ā interest in moving things about in different ways.
I have added a few examples below š
Trajectory
Descriptions of possible behaviours:
ā¢ A child may carry toys from one place to another in a bag or sand to theĀ home corner area in a bucket.
When children have a trajectory schema you may try to stop them becauseĀ maybe they want to throw everything. Instead give them safe things to throwĀ or even go outside for more space. Soft balls and little bean bags can be fun for this as longĀ they have a safe place to do it. Trajectory schema can also be when children areĀ using the up and down movement such as pushing a car or pram back andĀ forwards Ā or maybe they love the way water moves. Give children some waterĀ play toys where they can pour things into tubes and watch it fall out and theyĀ can repeat this.
Other examples:
ā¢ Bubbles in the garden.
ā¢ Watering the garden with watering can
ā¢ Balls of different sizes
Enveloping Schema -Ā When a child is showing signs of an enveloping schemaĀ they may put things inside things such as in bags or in other Ā places such as in Ā random places around the house.
Examples:
ā¢ Putting small world cars inside handbags, bigger vehicles or any otherĀ way of hiding or covering them.
ā¢ Filling handbags with things
ā¢ Hiding things in the sand so you canāt see them
ā¢ Taking money in and out of cash till and opening and closing it
ā¢ Child may cover themselves or wrap dolls up in a blanket, cover theirĀ whole painting with one colour.
Rotation schema
A child may be fascinated by spinning washing machine, liker wheeledĀ toys, spinning around or rolling.
Things that go round- balls wheeled toys
Throwing- bean bags, wicker balls, balloons
In our Montessori inspired messy classes they are all child led and therefore they lead their own play. Some children love to play at one thing for ages before moving to the next and this is also fantastic as they are developing their ideas as well as their concentration. It really isn't something to worry about it's a good thing! Some children love to explore everything which again is fantastic as they are learning to explore, make choices and really find out what interests them. Some children like to get really messy and some not as messy but both is OK as they are having fun and that's what we are all about š
All children play in different ways and we should just appreciate and inbrace every child for being unique. In Montessori helping children develop into independent learners is highly valued so next time you see children play maybe pay attention to any patterns in their play that may be developing or already developed that you can now identify as a schema š
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