Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas
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.
Get in contact at
Email Ruth@Playschemas.com
Facebook and Instagram @Play_Schemas
Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas
021 Easter Play Ideas for Toddlers that Support Play Schemas
Free download available!
Grab your free Easter Play Ideas PDF with all 10 schema-based activities, family-friendly versions, and our go-to oaty pancake recipe at playschemas.com/free
Feeling overwhelmed by all the Easter hype—and wondering how to make it meaningful for your toddler?
In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re diving into how you can use this Easter season to truly support your child’s development—without extra stress or sugar overload.
We’ll show you how to harness the power of play schemas—the natural, repetitive play behaviours all children engage in—to create fun, intentional Easter activities that meet your child right where they are developmentally. Whether they’re throwing, stacking, wrapping, or endlessly transporting things from one place to another, this episode will help you understand why they play this way—and how to build on it.
This isn’t about picture-perfect Pinterest crafts. It’s about easy, real-life ideas that work with your child’s current play urges, not against them. And the best part? You likely already have what you need at home.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
- What play schemas actually are, and why they matter for child development
- Why Easter is the perfect time to support schema play (think baskets, eggs, nature walks)
- 10 simple, engaging Easter activity ideas—each linked to a specific schema
- How to include your toddler in Easter traditions that build emotional connection
- Bonus toddler-friendly recipes that support sensory exploration and independence
We’ve made sure every idea includes:
- An independent play version to support solo exploration
- A family version to foster bonding and shared joy
- No fancy materials or hours of prep—just meaningful, low-fuss fun
Whether you're a first-time parent or juggling multiple little ones, this episode is for you if:
- You want to understand your child’s behaviour instead of just managing it
- You’re looking for early learning tips that don’t require a teaching degree
- You’d love to make Easter special without going overboard
- You’re craving ways to connect more deeply with your child through play
You’re not just making Easter crafts—you’re building confidence, independence, and lifelong learning habits.
Free download available!
Grab your free Easter Play Ideas PDF with all 10 schema-based activities, family-friendly versions, and our go-to oaty pancake recipe at playschemas.com/free
Visit the full blog post here → playschemas.com/021
Follow along on Instagram → @play_schemas
If this episode made your parenting life a little easier today…
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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.
Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com