Tuesday's Tot Talks: Toddler Schemas

At this time when I am facing more time with a 2 1/2 year old than I've ever spent in my life, I am trying to find creative ways to keep her entertained and keep my own sanity as well. Molly is very well behaved and very independent, and we don't have too many behaviour problems with her (knock on wood). She is adapting very well to having Lucy at home and to being at home with me - but I think this is still the "honeymoon" period. I am SO grateful that the weather is starting to improve because we can get outside for walks/picnics/playground dates/beach time (in the summer) etc. etc. In my experience, a kid who is outside is a happy kid. (Or maybe that's just my kid, but it seems pretty true overall).

At a petting zoo last fall

I came across an article awhile ago (that I can't find again) which referenced toddler schemas. A schema is a pattern of behaviour, and the article basically suggested that if you can find out what your toddler's schema is and support it, you will have an easier time helping them learn and keeping them entertained. These articles talk about this idea more:

Schemas and play
Toddler Schemas
Tinkergarten
Via Pinterest
The Urge to Play

Basically, the way I see this, Molly LOVES to collect things into a box/bucket/cart and cart them around with her. She is also absolutely and completely obsessed with this matching game that my in-laws got her for Christmas, which made me think about her schema this week. Molly will literally play the "bear game" all day long from the moment she wakes up until bedtime...but unfortunately, she still wants to play it with someone else (which is fine, but I am a bit sick of it ;)). I have never seen her play with a toy more than this one...so I am thinking of making her some similar flash cards to match up with different animals or shapes or something.

She loves puzzles too. She is a little bit of a climber, but nothing TOO major. She also really enjoys playing with playdough and helping me bake - so I think she is creative in that sense. I'd say Molly's top 3 schemas that she uses the most are containment, positioning and trajectory.

Do you see your child following any schemas? Do you like following this concept to support your child's learning? Any tips for entertaining my little 2 year old all year?? :)

I'm working on Lucy's birth story for next Tuesday but I'll be back once or twice this week with some other posts too :) I am finding myself on Pinterest a lot more now that I am back to night feeding sessions and I'm still keeping up with blogs on Bloglovin' but not finding quite as much time to comment. I'm trying to keep up with those who comment on my own blog though!!