Why is there always one child who persistently plays with the door, who mixes sand with water or throws objects across the room? Can these repetitive behaviours, known as schemas, be useful in targeting children's next steps within the EYFS? Is there a way to use them to unlock learning is young children?
A Practical Handbook not only explains what schemas are and how to identify them, but also expands on that knowledge. With the use of pragmatic ideas, rather than being based solely on theory, it explores how schemas are useful in developing children's learning alongside what they already do.
The standalone chapters each revolve around a particular schema and feature case studies to discuss how that schema can be used to help children progress within the seven areas of learning, as outlined in the EYFS. Laura England further supports this development with suggestions for enhancements to the environment, core resources and activities. This step-by-step guide is essential for practitioners wishing to further their understanding of children's learning.
The book is set into different chapters with each one covering different schemas. It begins with a short summary of learning theory and how schemas have been explored by different people throughout the years. For each schema there are some sample observations alongside Early Years outcomes linked to ages and stages development statements. There are examples of what you could do to help further develop that schema for each areas of the eyfs, with practical options to put in provision for a variety of ages. It's a good, basic start.
This is a handy little book to have around to help you have a basic introduction to Schemas and their importance. It gives you an easy to read basic run down of what you will need to know to get started with schemas. It's a good starting book to get your started a scheme journey, a very important part of the ECE practice.