Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas
Ruth Vercoe
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About This Podcast
Kia ora, Hello! I’m Ruth Vercoe, a teacher-turned-mum, here on a mission to demystify Child’s Play through understanding play schemas.
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, 'Why is my child doing that?'—whether it’s throwing their soft toys, hiding stones around the house, or lining up their crayons —then you’re in the right place, and certainly not alone.
Here, we’ll explore the magic of play through the lens of play schemas—those hidden repeated patterns in your child’s behaviour that hold the key to unlocking more meaningful play and connection.
Join me each week as we dive into playful insights that will help you bring more joy, connection and understanding into your parenting journey.
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Email [email protected]
Facebook and Instagram @Play_Schemas
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Recent Episodes
076 What If Your Toddler Isn't Being Difficult?
Are you constantly wondering why your toddler throws everything, climbs the furniture, dumps out baskets, or repeats the same behaviours over and over again? In this episode, we’re diving into one of…
075 You don't need more play ideas
Why do so many play ideas work for other children… but not yours?If you’re feeling overwhelmed by sensory activities, toddler play ideas, and endless parenting inspiration online, this episode is for…
074 5 Things AI Can’t Take Away From You as a Parent
AI can write shopping lists, plan meals, and even help manage the mental load of parenting, but there are some things technology will never replace.In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, Ruth…
073 How We Threw a Dinosaur Birthday Party on a Budget
What happens when you throw a dinosaur birthday party with borrowed decorations, homemade food, muddy slime, and a backyard volcano? Apparently… pure childhood magic.In this episode, I’m taking you…
072 The Best Investment in Your Child’s Future Isn’t Money (It’s Play)
The Most Powerful Investment in Your Child’s Future (It’s Not Money) | Toddler Play, Brain Development & Play Schemas ExplainedYou’ve probably heard people talk about investing in your child’s…
071 Why Your Toddler’s ‘Challenging Behaviour’ Is Actually Normal (Play Schemas Explained for Parents)
If you’ve ever wondered…Why your toddler throws things constantly…Why toys somehow end up scattered across every room…Or why your child lines up their snacks instead of eating them…You’re not…
070 The Simple Trick That Protects Your Child’s Play (Work in Progress Cards)
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✨…
069 Is Your Child Obsessed with Poo? Here’s What to Know
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…
068 Play Schema Series - Enveloping 101
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…
067 Play Schema Series - Enclosure 101
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…
066 Play Schema Series - Orientation 101
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…
065 Play Schema Series - Rotation 101
The reason spinning is actually good for your child (Rotation Play Schema)Is your toddler constantly spinning, twisting taps, rolling wheels, or obsessing over anything that turns? It’s not chaos,…
064 Play Schema Series - Positioning 101
Positioning Play Schema… Why Toddlers Line Things UpHave you ever noticed your child lining up toys, stacking blocks just so, or arranging snacks before eating them? That’s the Positioning Play…
063 Play Schema Series - Transportation 101
Transportation Play Schema Explained... Why Toddlers Carry Everything EverywhereHave you ever wondered why your toddler insists on carrying toys from room to room, filling backpacks with random…
062 Play Schema Series - Age Specific Trajectory Behaviour
Trajectory Play Schema by Age: What Movement Play Looks Like from Birth to 5+Ever wondered why your baby keeps dropping things, your toddler throws everything in sight, or your preschooler builds…
061 Play Schema Series - Transformation 101
Why is my toddler so messy? If your child loves mixing, squishing, pouring, smearing, and turning everyday materials into something new, you’re likely seeing the Transformation Play Schema in…
060 Play Schema Series - Disconnection 101
What is the Disconnection Play Schema? A 101 OverviewHave you ever watched your toddler peel every sticker off a book, pull tissues out one by one, or dismantle a block tower you just built… and…
059 Play Schema Series - Connection 101
What is the connection play schema… and why does your child seem driven to tie, tape, build, and join everything together?In this episode, we’re starting with a foundational question: what exactly is…
058 Tired of “New Year, New Me”? Try a Family Preset Instead
Join the free 2026 Family Preset: https://playschemas.com/presetFeeling tired already, and the year’s only just begun?If “new year, new me” feels more exhausting than motivating, this episode offers…
057 How Play Can Transform Your Parenting in 2026
Join the 2026 Family Preset waitlist! Preset week is 12th-16th January 2026.The new year can feel full of pressure, new routines, new goals, and the quiet expectation that everything should suddenly…
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Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas has published 77 episodes since November 2024, covering topics in Education, Kids & Family.
Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 14m.
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