Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas

Ever tidied up your child’s “mess”… only to trigger a meltdown? 😅
What if that mess wasn’t mess at all, but learning in progress?
This tiny tool changed everything in our home:
✨ Work in Progress cards
✨ Fewer meltdowns
✨ More creative, connected play
It’s simple. It’s powerful. And it works.
Listen now and try it for yourself 💛
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If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review! 
I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
[email protected]
www.playschemas.com
and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

Has your child talked about poo today? 💩😅
If you’ve got a toddler or preschooler, chances are… yes.
But before you panic or feel embarrassed, this phase is completely normal. And more than that? It’s actually a window into how your child learns.
In this episode, we explore:
Why kids become obsessed with poo
What it tells us about play schemas
Why shutting it down can backfire
And a surprisingly simple way to redirect it (hello, Play-Doh poo 👀)
Parenting is hard, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
You’re not alone in this 💛
🎧 Listen now and start seeing the learning behind the behaviour.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review! 
I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
[email protected]
www.playschemas.com
and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

Why does your child love wrapping themselves in blankets, hiding toys in bags, or covering everything in paint? It’s not mess... it’s the Enveloping Play Schema.
In this final episode of our 10-part play schemas series on Demystifying Child’s Play, Ruth Vercoe breaks down what enveloping play really is, how to spot it in toddlers and preschoolers, and why it supports early maths, science, body awareness, and emotional regulation.
You’ll also learn the key difference between enveloping and enclosure (they’re often confused!), so you can respond with confidence instead of frustration.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal?”... this episode is for you.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review! 
I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
[email protected]
www.playschemas.com
and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

Why your child keeps fencing things in (and why it matters)
If your toddler is constantly building walls, creating “no entry” zones, drawing borders, or sitting inside boxes and small spaces, you’re not raising a bossy or controlling child.
You’re seeing the Enclosure Play Schema in action.
In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, Ruth Vercoe breaks down enclosure play and explains why children are driven to surround, fence, and define spaces in their play. Learn how enclosure supports spatial awareness, early maths skills, planning, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, especially for sensitive or anxious children.
Discover the difference between enclosure and enveloping, what repetition really means for development, and how understanding play schemas can reduce power struggles and transform the way you respond to toddler behaviour.
If you want more calm, confidence, and clarity around your child’s play, this episode is for you.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review! 
I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
[email protected]
www.playschemas.com
and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

Why is your child always upside down? It might be the Orientation Play Schema.
In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we explore the orientation play schema, the powerful drive behind children hanging upside down, climbing high, bending through their legs, and constantly changing their perspective.
If your toddler loves to roll, invert, tip, and view the world from every possible angle, they’re not being reckless or attention-seeking. They’re learning.
Discover what orientation play really is, why movement is the tool (not the goal), and how children develop spatial awareness, balance, and perspective through this instinctive behaviour.
This episode is part of a 10-part series on the top 10 play schemas, helping you understand toddler behaviour through a child development lens so you can respond with confidence instead of frustration.
If climbing, hanging, and upside-down antics are a daily occurrence in your home, this one will change the way you see it.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review! 
I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
[email protected]
www.playschemas.com
and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!