1. If your wee one...

    • Loves covering their face, head or body
    • Keeps hiding under blankets
    • Loves wrapping up objects or themselves
    • Covers the entire paper in paint
    • Uses mud, paint or whatever they can to coat every bit of their hands

    They’re not being “naughty” – they’re exploring the transforming schema

    Schemas are patterns of repeated behaviours which children engage in. They are a crucial part of development and learning. Here are some ideas can help channel their interest.

  2. 1. Wrapping

    Use a light scarf or muslin cloth to wrap up every day objects to be discovered. Using cloth makes it easier for wee ones to wrap or cover objects themselves, so they can take ownership of the game. Expect LOTS of repetition and ask “I wonder what else we could wrap?” to keep their imaginations working.

  3. 2. Hiding

    For an upgraded take on hide and seek, take turns hiding toys around your home or garden – you can take photographs of hiding places to give each other clues. For wee ones who aren’t mobile, placing different objects on a tray and covering them with a cloth can be fun too.

  4. 3. Covering

    Use blankets or scarves to cover or wrap each other. This could be a calm activity to wind down together where you “tuck” each other in. Or you could create a game. Why not run around as ghosts together? Or make your very own maypole?

  5. 4. Messy Play

    For wee ones that explore everything with their mouths, messy play with food can be great (custard, cornflour gloop, cooked spaghetti) – have enough in the tray/bowl so they can bury or coat their hands. If you’re stressed by mess, plan the activity just before bath time. Or try a tray of dry rice, lentils etc.

  6. 5. Visual Art

    Collage with stickers, paper, glue, paint, anything that can be used to completely cover the page is ideal. Or get outside and use leaves, stones, sticks and other natural objects to cover the “canvas”.