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 the connection schema, and why does it matter so much in early childhood development?

Schemas are deep, instinctive urges that drive children’s play. They aren’t random behaviors—they’re the brain’s way of building foundations for lifelong learning. And the connection schema is all about how things join together… and sometimes how they come apart.

From tying objects together and building endless towers, to taping toys into long lines or wanting to sit close and hold hands, connection play is your child’s natural way of exploring structure, stability, and the forces that hold things in place.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the connection schema really is (and what it isn’t)
• Why connection play is normal, healthy, and developmentally necessary
• How children use connecting and disconnecting to explore physics, engineering, and problem-solving
• The powerful link between connection play and fine motor development
• How this schema supports early STEM thinking, confidence, and persistence
• Real-life examples of what connection play looks like at home (yes, including all the tape and string!)
  
  
  

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by repetitive play, messy setups, or emotional meltdowns when creations fall apart, this episode offers reassurance and clarity. Repetition isn’t a problem, it’s how the brain wires itself. And when you understand schema-driven behavior, it becomes so much easier to support your child with empathy and intention.

If your child is constantly connecting, tying, taping, building, or taking things apart, they’re learning exactly what they need to learn, and your support makes a remarkable difference.

Let’s dive deeper into the connection schema together.

Send us a text

If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

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
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com

and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

Join the free 2026 Family Preset: https://playschemas.com/preset

Feeling tired already, and the year’s only just begun?
If “new year, new me” feels more exhausting than motivating, this episode offers a different way forward.

In this episode, Ruth introduces the 2026 Family Preset, a free, gentle, 5-day guided experience designed especially for parents of young children. No pressure. No hustle. Just clarity, connection, and small shifts that make family life feel lighter.

Instead of fixing everything, this is about deciding what really matters, and setting your family up for a calmer, more connected year.

What You’ll Learn

• Why clarity (not discipline) is often what’s missing when parenting feels hard
• How small, intentional shifts can change the tone of your whole family
• Why rest, connection, and repair matter more than perfection
• How understanding your child’s play can reduce frustration and conflict
• What it really means to “preset” your family for the year ahead

The 5 Days of the Family Preset

• Day 1: Starting with you, rest that actually restores
• Day 2: Parenting as a team (or with your support system)
• Day 3: Understanding your child through their play and schemas
• Day 4: Building connection into everyday routines
• Day 5: Protecting connection on the hard days through repair

Includes short daily videos, one small task a day, two weeks to complete it, and the chance to win over $500 in prizes.

Resources

• Join the free 2026 Family Preset: https://playschemas.com/preset
• Instagram DM option: https://instagram.com/playschemas

If this episode supported you, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a review, it helps more parents find calm and clarity through play 💛

#DemystifyingChildsPlay #FamilyPreset #GentleParenting #PlayIsLearning #ConnectionOverConflict #ParentingSupport

Send us a text

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January 2026. Jump on the waitlist here!

If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

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
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com

and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

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 feel more “together.” But if you’re parenting a toddler or preschooler and your day still involves toast on the floor and snack requests five minutes after breakfast, you’re not doing it wrong.

In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re welcoming 2026 with a gentler, more grounded perspective on parenting, one that replaces overwhelm with understanding and helps you reconnect with what really matters: your child’s play.

You’ll be introduced (or reintroduced) to play schemas, the repetitive patterns of play that are hardwired into how young children learn and develop. We’ll explore why behaviours like throwing, lining up, spinning, enclosing, and pulling things apart aren’t “phases to fix,” but meaningful learning in action. When you understand what’s driving your child’s play, parenting starts to feel more intentional, less frustrating, and surprisingly more joyful.

Through real-life examples and relatable moments from family life, this episode breaks down how play schemas support cognitive development, emotional regulation, physical coordination, and confidence, all without worksheets or structured activities. You’ll also hear practical ways to spot schemas in your own child’s play, how to support them using simple, everyday materials, and why protecting time for child-led play is one of the most powerful investments you can make this year.

We’ll also touch on something parents don’t hear often enough: play isn’t just good for children, it’s good for us too. Joining your child in play, even briefly, builds connection, supports emotional wellbeing, and reminds us that joy and learning don’t need to be separate.

If you’re stepping into the new year wanting less pressure, more confidence, and a deeper connection with your child, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with another parent who needs this reminder, and come continue the conversation with me over on Instagram @play_schemas. For free resources and further support, visit playschemas.com.

Because you don’t need to add more this year, y

Send us a text

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January 2026. Jump on the waitlist here!

If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

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
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com

and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!