Schemaplay Community Interest Company

“If children find learning difficult it could well be that there is something wrong with the way that we are asking them to learn. (Smith, 1982) The operational schemes and figurative schemas that young children display in their self-chosen free play (explained and discussed in our early years’ training) are telling us what children ‘can do’, what they ‘know about’, and what they want to explore and take forward. In order to foster children’s sense of community, their positive perception of self, mastery behaviour, independence and confidence, adults working with young children have a critical role to affirm their play (their schemes and schemas). How adults respond to children’s observed schemes and schemas impacts mastery and learning: