Unlock the Secrets Behind Your Child’s Play: The Origins of Play Schemas

Ever wondered why your little one loves to spin wheels, drop toys, or line up blocks over and over again? Those seemingly simple actions aren’t just random—they’re part of something much bigger: play schemas. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re diving deep into the fascinating origins of these repeated behaviours and uncovering why they are essential for your child’s cognitive and emotional growth.

As a parent, you might feel overwhelmed trying to understand your child’s play habits. Are they learning? Is their behaviour normal? This episode will help you see the brilliance behind their play and give you confidence in how to support it.

We’ll explore the roots of play schemas, tracing them back to pioneering research by Frederick Bartlett and Jean Piaget, two of the most influential minds in child development. Plus, we’ll break down the science into bite-sized, relatable insights that will leave you in awe of what your child is achieving every time they play.

🎙️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What Are Play Schemas?
  Discover the simple yet powerful patterns of behaviour that help children make sense of their world. Whether your child loves spinning, throwing, or hiding objects, these actions are building their understanding of how things work.
• The Science Behind Play Schemas:
  Learn about schema theory, a concept that’s been shaping our understanding of learning since the 1930s. From Bartlett’s original ideas to Piaget’s groundbreaking work on cognitive development, we’ll explain why play schemas are vital for your child’s brain development.
• The Magic of Early Development:
  Explore the Sensorimotor Stage, where babies learn through their senses, and the Preoperational Stage, where imagination takes flight. We’ll share real-life examples of how these stages connect to the play schemas you see every day.

💡
Understanding play schemas isn’t just about decoding your child’s actions—it’s about unlocking the window into their growing mind. By supporting these behaviours, you’re fostering their creativity, curiosity, and love of learning. And here’s the best part: you don’t need to overhaul your parenting approach. With just a few small adjustments, you can make playtime even more enriching and enjoyable—for both of you.

📌 Take Action Today:
Notice your child’s play patterns this week. Is there a schema you can recognise? Whether it’s transporting toys in bags or dropping blocks from a height, think of one simple way to support their learning through this behaviour.

💬 Let’s Connect!
If you’re ready to dive deeper into play schemas, visit playschemas.com/005 for show notes, resources, and a free cheat sheet on the top 10 play schemas. Follow us on Instagram @play_schemas to share your playtime wins and mysteries!

Subscribe to Demystifying Child’s Play wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode. And if you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow parent who’s ready to discover the magic of play schemas.

🎉 Remember: Today is a great day to play!

Support the show

I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com