025 Parenting Hacks: Master ‘When’ & ‘Then’ Magic!

The Two Words That Will Transform Your Parenting — “When” and “Then”

Are you tired of endless toddler negotiations, meltdowns during transitions, or repeating yourself a hundred times a day? You’re not alone — and there is a gentle, effective way forward. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, Ruth Vercoe introduces two simple, yet powerful words that can make all the difference: “when” and “then.”

Whether you're trying to get your child out the door, clean up after play, or move from one activity to the next — these words offer a calm, respectful way to guide your child through their day without constant power struggles.

What’s this episode all about?
This isn’t just another parenting hack — it’s a mindset shift grounded in how young children actually understand the world. When used consistently, “when” and “then” give toddlers and preschoolers a sense of structure, predictability, and emotional safety.

You’ll hear real-life examples from Ruth’s own parenting journey, as well as practical phrases you can start using today. And here’s where it gets even more powerful: this episode also explores how “when-then” language aligns beautifully with your child’s play schemas — those fascinating, repetitive behaviours that form the foundation of how they learn and grow.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of what “when-then” language is and how to use it
• Real examples for everyday scenarios — from snack time to messy play
• Insight into how play schemas shape your child’s behaviour
• Tips to identify and support your child’s dominant play schema
• Confidence to redirect behaviour gently without saying “no” all the time
• A calmer, more cooperative home where play and parenting flow together

Why it works

“When” and “then” create cause and effect that young children can understand. Instead of vague instructions like “soon” or “later” (which mean nothing to a toddler), you’re offering a safe and predictable roadmap for what’s happening next.

And when you match this simple structure with your child’s natural learning patterns — like the trajectory schema (throwing), transportation schema (carrying), or rotation schema (spinning) — you’re not just managing behaviour. You’re nurturing your child’s development in a deeply respectful way.

Ruth explains how to spot these patterns and work with them instead of against them. You’ll be amazed how a tiny shift in language can create massive changes in your everyday r

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.