About Connecting Schema
Connecting Schema involves building structures, hooking objects together, tying things up, combining ingredients, and generally joining materials together. Children exploring this schema may be interested in glue, staplers, hot glue guns, hammers and names, screwdrivers and screws, rope, Velcro, tape, and other materials used for connecting things.
In Schemas: A Practical Handbook, Laura England writes, “Children exploring this schema may have an interest in connecting blocks and train tracks, building and constructing; in addition to being interested in how they can connect themselves to items such as tying themselves to trees or friends! As a child’s understanding of connection becomes more sophisticated they may begin to explore disconnecting by separating toys, untying shoe laces and deconstructing things they have created.”(England, Laura. Schemas: A Practical Handbook (p. 13). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.)
Suggested Loose Parts
Here’s an incomplete list of loose parts that support this play schema:
- Bangles
- Beads
- Belts
- Binder Clips
- Blocks
- Boards
- Bricks
- Bungee Straps
- Buttons
- Cable Spools
- Cars And Trucks
- Chain
- Chalk
- Clay
- Clipboards
- Clothespins
- Clothing
- Construction Paper
- Contact Paper
- Corks
- Craft Sticks
- Crayons
- Elastic
- Envelopes
- Erasers
- Felt
- Flagging Tape
- Funnels
- Glue
- Hair Ties
- Hammers
- Hand Mixers
- Hand Screw Clamps
- Hot Glue Guns
- Jars & Lids
- Keys
- Kitchen Storage Containers
- Lace
- LEGOs
- Log Slices
- Magnets
- Marbles
- Markers
- Measuring Cups
- Metal Nuts And Washers
- Mud
- Nails
- Napkin Rings
- Nuts, Bolts, And Washers
- Packing Peanuts
- Padlocks
- Paint
- Paint Brushes
- Paint Rollers
- Paperclips
- Pebbles
- Pencils
- Pens
- Pine Cones
- Pipe
- Pipe Cleaners
- Plastic Hair Curlers
- Plastic Jug And Bottle Lids
- Plastic Totes & Lids
- Plastic Wrap
- Puzzle Pieces
- Ratchets And Sockets
- Ribbon
- Rope
- Rubber Bands
- Sand
- Scissors
- Screw Drivers And Screws
- Shower Curtain Rings
- Sifters
- Small Clamps
- Snow
- Stackers
- Stacking Cups
- Staplers
- Static Electricity
- Sticks
- Sticky Notes
- Stones
- Straw Bales
- String
- Tape
- Thread Spools
- Tires
- Train Sets
- Tubing
- Twist Ties
- Velcro
- Water
- Whisks
- Wire
- Wooden Pallets
- Wrenches
- Yarn
- Zip Ties
Have an idea I should add to the list? Share it in the comments or contact me.
Examples
Some examples of this play schema in action:
Connecting schema often involves interest in rope, string, yarn, and other items that can be knotted or used to bind materials. Kids exploring this schema my become interested in tying their shoes, buttoning, and zipping.
Staplers, tape, and sticky notes are very popular with children exploring connecting schema.
Connecting schema explorers may also show interest in using blocks and other small loose parts to connect. These creations may be simple of very complex and detailed.
An interest in both tools and how things are put together may also become part of children’s connection schema investigation. This can lead to an interest in STEM play and exploration.
Contribute content to Playvolution HQ
Brought to you by Explorations Early Learning
Thoughts On This Entry?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on improving this entry and suggestions for additional glossary additions in the comments below. You can also contact me with comments or concerns.
Browse Trainings
Post Author
Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author who founded Explorations Early Learning, Playvolution HQ, and Play Haven.
Leave a Reply