SCHEMA - GUIDED PLAY & TRAINING

Our next guided play session on October 12th 1 - 3 pm is about schema - you may be wary about attending not fully understanding what it will all be about - let me dispel any fears!

The word  'schema' is generally used to describe patterns of repeated behaviour which children use to explore and express their ideas and thoughts through play and exploration ....

still confused ?  How about if we use examples like ...

a child in a high chair dropping things again and again - the repeated action - and your response to it - helps the child to develop meaning to what they are doing and thus extends their thinking and development.

Schemas are biological - we are born with them and they are central to how we learn and develop although they will be influenced by our surroundings and the people we regularly interact with.

Some of the schema we will be looking at are

• Rotational - fascination with spinning / wheeled toys / roundabouts etc
• Trajectory - dropping things / throwing / climbing and jumping off things
• Transporting - moving themselves or other things from place to place
• Connecting - joining and disconnecting train tracks / constructing toys etc
• Positioning - lining up objects - cars / shoes / books or putting things in groups

Perhaps you recognise your own actions in these descriptions and certainly those of your young children.

To understand more come along with the children to the play session on Friday Oct 12th 1 - 3 pm (don't worry we'll be finished in time for school pick up) or come along without the children to learn some more!

For childminders / carers / practitioners or other interested persons we are running an in house training session on Monday 1st October from 12.30pm - 2.30 to explore these avenues further.  Places are limited so please contact the Toy Library if you'd like to book a place £5 per person.

New Term - new faces

Monday 3rd September sees us open for business as usual with loads of plans for fun and exciting activities!

We have said goodbye to Maria who has moved "up north" to explore new opportunities and so are delighted to report that one of our regular members and volunteer Jodie Smith will be taking over from Maria in the stay and play sessions.

Lots of plans afoot - this term we are exploring some of our new Play and Share (story) sacks as these have all been updated refreshed and improved and we now have around 40 - 50 available for loan.

Our theme this term will be around "our healthy bodies" incorporating aspects of healthy eating - supported by a grant from Charnwood Borough Council's Staying Healthy campaign - which will enable us to provide healthy snacks and drinks in our cafe.  We will also continue our guided play sessions supported by the Community Forum bid monies with communication, schema and physical play still to come.

Our first week back we are looking at farms ... after all where does all our food come from! - with making activities, singing and story time to look forward to.  The library room has had a good sort out over the holidays with shelves looking tidy and toys easily accessed - take some time to browse and choose some great toys.

Do come along - bring a friend along and you can both benefit from our "refer a friend" scheme where if you encourage a new member to join you can both borrow a Play & Share sack for free! ( Normally £2.50)

Looking forward to a great term!