054 The Secret Language of Play: How to Read What Your Child Is Telling You

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

Have you ever watched your toddler throw toys, empty your handbag for the tenth time, or spin in circles until they fall over, and wondered, why on earth are they doing that? This episode will help you finally make sense of it, and trust your child’s play in a whole new way.

In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re diving into one of the most powerful, and often misunderstood, parts of early childhood development: play schemas. These are the repeated patterns of behaviour that toddlers come back to again and again… throwing, wrapping, stacking, filling, dumping, climbing, hiding, spinning.

And while these moments can feel messy, chaotic, or even a bit annoying (especially when you’re tired, heading into the Christmas season, or just trying to make dinner), they’re actually signs that your child is learning exactly what they need to learn right now.

You’ll hear why your child keeps:
 • tossing toys across the room
 • wrapping dolls in blanket after blanket
 • transferring objects from one bag to another
 • building towers just to knock them down
 • spinning until they’re giggling on the floor

Each of these actions links to a different schema, a way the brain organises information and builds important pathways for maths, science, problem solving, gross motor skills and confidence. When we understand this, everything changes. We stop seeing “naughty”, “messy”, or “chaotic”, and start seeing curiosity, exploration and connection.

If you’re a parent who feels guilty about not playing enough… or if you’ve ever wondered whether your toddler’s behaviour is “normal”… this episode will give you reassurance, clarity and a simple new lens that makes family life feel so much easier.

Think of this as a gentle invitation to become a play detective. Once you start noticing schemas, you’ll never unsee them, and you’ll feel so much more connected to what your child is trying to learn and communicate.

Whether you’re listening on a walk, folding washing, or hiding in the pantry for two minutes of quiet, this episode will help you see your child’s play with fresh eyes. Parenting is hard, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, especially when you understand what’s going on beneath the surface.

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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.

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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.

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www.playschemas.com

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