Why Do They Keep Doing That?!
Discovering schemas and the hidden learning in play for under-twos
Babies and toddlers are constantly busy—moving, exploring, repeating, testing and discovering. But what is really happening beneath all that activity? This session will explore schemas and schematic play in the under-twos, helping practitioners recognise the repeated patterns in babies’ and toddlers’ everyday play. We’ll consider why children return to these patterns, what they may be discovering through repetition, and how schemas can help us better understand their interests and development.
Drawing on the Honeycomb Hypothesis, we’ll also consider how babies and toddlers gather experiences as they move, explore and interact with their world, gradually connecting these experiences to build understanding. The session will explore how thoughtful observation, responsive interactions and well-planned environments can help us recognise and support the remarkable learning taking place beneath the busy play.