08/19/2020
SCHEMAS. In early years play, educators aren’t just idly watching the children. In fact, we are actively in engaged and are looking for something called “schemas” within the play. A schema is best described as a repeated pattern that occurs in open ended children’s play. These thrift store beauties will be absolutely perfect for when an ever popular one eventually pops up.... the Enclosure Schema! Chances are that you have observed it many times without knowing, as most children readily engage in it. “Putting one object into another” is the essence of enclosure. Think about all of the times you’ve observed a child stuff their pockets with pebbles, or gather small toys to fill a purse from the dress up area. On a larger scale, it may be a child building a fort to crawl into with friends. Once teachers observe a repeated pattern like this, we offer materials that could help fulfill and satisfy the students in this schema of play. I cannot wait to see more of the little treasures that will be tucked into these by little hands!!
