Children's Lively Minds: Schema Theory Made Visible

Teachers often see repetitive behaviors in toddler and preschool classrooms, such as building and knocking down block towers or dumping out toys. When children do these actions over and over it can be irritating to teachers and parents, but viewing these actions through the lens of schema theory, developed by Jean Piaget, can help understand what’s really going on in children’s brains when they display these repetitive behaviors.

Children’s Lively Minds is filled with stories about real children exploring schema, followed by reflection and questions about what children might be learning. Schema theory is happening in your work with young children whether you know it or not. Understanding it and putting intention behind it, can help families and teachers ease frustration with young children’s repetitive behavior and allow adults to better support brain development.