What is the Enclosing Schema?
Last week we looked at Connecting schema which is all about joining or arranging objects in different patterns. This week we’ll explore the next schema: Enclosing, and give you some tips on how to support this play style.
The tell-tale signs of the enclosing schema are:
- Surrounding themselves with objects e.g. placing toys all around in a circle
- Climbing into an enclosed space e.g. in a tent or cupboard
- Building walls or boundaries to create separation e.g. building forts or fences
How it helps Development
- It gives kids a sense of privacy and security by letting them create their own little sanctuaries where they can feel safe, can relax, and unwind
- Fosters independent play
- Builds gross motor skills as it often involves crawling, stacking, climbing, and moving in small spaces
- Promotes creativity and problem-solving (building a fort that stays up isn’t easy!)
5 Ways to Encourage Enclosing Schema
Here are five strategies to encourage enclosing schema development in children:
· Keep larger boxes to provide a fun and stimulating environment for crawling and exploring. Don't forget to join in on the fun by decorating the boxes with them!
· Get a couple of cheap blankets they can hide under. Keep them in a basket or somewhere they can easily reach.
· Safety first – make sure the environment is safe and free from unstable heavy objects such as furniture.
· Provide them with a torch to help them see inside their spaces, adding a level of imagination and intrigue to their play.
· Talk to them about real-life scenarios where physical boundaries are important, like fences in farming, dams for holding water, or the great wall of China.
By giving children the opportunity to explore this type of play, they get tons of benefits including ognitive, physical, and social development. Remember that every child is different, and some may naturally gravitate towards enclosing schema play while others may not be as interested, and that's totally fine.
Let us know in the comments if your child uses the enclosing schema and share your favorite play ideas!
Up next: Enveloping Schema
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