Understanding Schemas: How Children Learn Through Play

We often celebrate how children learn best through play. But have you ever noticed your child doing the same action again and again? These repeated play patterns are called schemas, and they’re an important window into how children make sense of the world.

What Exactly Are Schemas?

Schemas are natural, recurring behaviours children use as they explore and learn. At first glance, they might look random—like a toddler endlessly dropping objects, wrapping themselves in blankets, or carefully lining up toy cars. In reality, these patterns are powerful ways for children to test ideas, strengthen thinking skills, and build knowledge through hands-on discovery.

A Few Common Schemas You Might Notice

There are many different schemas, but here are some you may already recognise:

• Trajectory – throwing, rolling, or pushing objects in straight lines.

• Enveloping – covering themselves or objects, hiding, or wrapping things up.

• Rotation – spinning wheels, turning knobs, or twirling around in circles.

• Connecting – joining items together or pulling them apart, like building and knocking down towers.

Far from being “just play,” these behaviours are active learning in motion.

Why They Matter

Recognising schemas helps adults better understand and support children’s learning. Instead of stopping a child who loves throwing, we can provide safe and purposeful alternatives—such as scarves to toss, balls to roll, or water to pour. Meeting the need behind the behaviour allows children to explore safely while still engaging their curiosity.

How We Support Schemas in Nursery

Our team is trained to spot and respond to schemas in action. By observing carefully, we design activities that nurture each child’s unique interests. For example, a child fascinated by the enclosing schema might enjoy den-building, wrapping objects, or creating little spaces to crawl inside. By tuning into these patterns, we help children feel understood and give them richer opportunities to learn.

Supporting Schemas at Home

Parents often see schemas at work, too. If your child is:

• Lining up their toys,

• Climbing furniture, or

• Pouring water from one cup to another...

...they may be exploring a schema! You can support this at home with safe, open-ended materials—like blocks for stacking, scarves for hiding objects, or outdoor space for movement.

Understanding schemas takes the mystery out of behaviours that might otherwise seem puzzling. They’re not just habits or phases—they’re essential ways children are learning about their world.

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to explore your child’s play patterns further, our team is always happy to chat. Together, we can celebrate the fascinating ways children grow and learn through schemas.