Schema play in the Early Years: a practical guide

What is schema play in the Early Years?

Simply put, schematic behaviour is the way a child explores a certain idea while they play. This is often seen as repetitive behaviour that may not always make sense to the adult, but it’s a way children learn and really dig into an idea and try to understand it.

We call them schemas, and each schema involves particular repeated patterns of behaviour, like throwing, moving objects around repeatedly, or unscrewing lids over and over again.

What are the nine key play schemas?

1. Trajectory schema
2. Positioning schema
3. Enveloping schema
4. Rotating schema
5. Enclosing schema
6. Transporting schema
7. Connecting schema
8. Transforming schema
9. Orienteering schema

What does schema play look like in Early Years settings?

That's what this guide is all about. As Early Years practitioners, we have a unique insight into children's play, learning and development, simply because we have the opportunity to really notice what children are doing.

Schematic play might look like transporting toys around a play area, wrapping something up, enclosing small world toys with blocks, or connecting many LEGO bricks.

How do we support schema play?

In short, follow the child. Take the time to notice how children engage with the resources available and what they're exploring. All play schemas occur naturally, so it’s not something you need to teach children. But when we understand the characteristics of different play schemas, we can then provide opportunities for children to play in ways that extend their learning.

Don't forget, it's not necessarily the children's repeated behaviour that's important — it's what they're exploring through that behaviour. For example, if children explore the cars by placing them all in the garage, it could be small world play, or it could be an enclosing schema.