WILD MINDS + Deeper Schema Library

WILD MINDS+ DEEPER SCHEMA LIBRARY

See the child. Understand the play. Shape the environment.

Our Wild Minds+ Deeper Schema Library has been created for practitioners who want to move beyond simply recognising a schema and begin thinking more deeply about what children’s repeated play might be telling us.

Schemas are repeated patterns of action that can help us understand how children are exploring movement, materials, space, relationships and ideas. But they are not a test, a diagnosis or a fixed label for a child.

That is why this resource begins with one important reminder:

A schema is a lens, not a label.

The aim is to help you NOTICE what is happening, WONDER about what might be underneath it, RESPOND thoughtfully and REFLECT on what happens next.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

The library takes a deeper look at schemas including transporting, trajectory, rotation, enclosing, enveloping, positioning, orientation and transforming.

For each schema you’ll explore:

What the schema may actually be telling us

What it can look like in babies, toddlers and preschool children

How the same schema can appear differently across mixed age provision

SEND and neurodivergent considerations

Questions to help you audit your environment

Simple changes you can try without creating another adult led activity

The role of the adult and when we might need to step back

Useful language you could introduce

Resources and materials you might add

Observation prompts

Reflection questions to help you notice what happens next

This isn’t about seeing a child repeatedly carrying, throwing, spinning, lining things up or hiding objects and immediately deciding “that’s their schema”.

Repeated behaviour can have many different meanings, including sensory regulation, communication, predictability, emotional regulation, anxiety, routine, interest and individual developmental differences.

The library encourages you to stay curious about the whole child rather than jumping to a label.

CREATE MORE POSSIBILITY, NOT MORE ACTIVITIES

One of the biggest ideas behind the Deeper Schema Library is that supporting schemas does not mean constantly creating new themed activities.

Sometimes one thoughtful change to the environment is enough.

A basket placed somewhere accessible.

A safe place for throwing.

Fabric available for covering and enclosing.

A ramp that children can alter.

Loose parts that can be carried, positioned or transformed.

Make the possibility available, then watch what children do with it.

The aim isn’t to plan more.

It is to create more possibility.

PERFECT FOR

Childminders

Early years practitioners

Nursery and preschool teams

Home educators

Nature based practitioners

Anyone wanting to understand child led play more deeply

INCLUDED IN WILD MINDS+ MEMBERSHIP

The Wild Minds+ Deeper Schema Library is also included as part of our Wild Minds+ membership for just £10 per month.

And it isn’t the only thing you get.

Wild Minds+ members also receive our monthly Wild Minds+ Practice Packs, alongside our growing collection of deeper practice resources, training, reflection tools, inspiration and lots of other goodies designed to support thoughtful, child led, nature rich practice.

So if you love resources like this and want something new to explore throughout the year, Wild Minds+ is the best value way to access them.

£10 PER MONTH

Includes the Deeper Schema Library, monthly Wild Minds+ Practice Packs and lots more.

Learn more. Reflect more deeply. Create less. Notice more.