Demystifying Child's Play | Play Schemas

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! How can mums nourish themselves through conception, pregnancy, and beyond? NZ dietitian Hannah Ericksen from oh Goodness Nutrition joins Ruth Vercoe to unpack nutrition for mums , the real, practical kind. From the “first thousand days” to postpartum recovery, discover how small changes can make a lifelong impa...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! What Your Child Really Wants for Christmas (It’s Not What’s Under the Tree) This week on Demystifying Child’s Play , Ruth Vercoe is joined by Linda from The Thriving Home and The Connection Couple   to explore what truly makes Christmas magical... connection . If you’ve ever felt torn between creating a picture...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Ever wondered how to truly connect with your neurodiverse child, especially when life feels like one long guessing game? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, host Ruth Vercoe welcomes Sarah from We Are Equal — a mum of four, early childhood teacher, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity, to share...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Discover the Magic of Dino-vember, and the Hidden Learning in Your Child’s Play! What if your child’s love of dinosaurs could actually help you understand why they play the way they do? In this fun and insightful episode of Demystifying Child’s Play , Ruth Vercoe dives into Dino-vember, that magical month where...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! What if prioritising your own health could be the most important thing you ever do for your children?  In this powerful and deeply honest conversation on Demystifying Child’s Play , Ruth Vercoe talks with Tamara Milne, a radiographer and mum who was just 33 and weeks away from welcoming her second baby when she...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Did you know your toddler’s everyday play is secretly building the foundations for language and communication? If you’ve ever worried about whether your child is talking “enough,” or wondered how you can best support their speech and confidence, this episode will give you the reassurance and practical strategie...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! How does play shape your child’s speech and language? If you’ve ever wondered whether those endless games of peek-a-boo, block towers, or toy tea parties actually do anything for your child’s speech development, you’re not alone. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play | Play Schemas , we’re unpacking the...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Ever felt like baking with your toddler is more mess than magic? You’re not alone. But what if I told you that the flour on the floor and the endless stirring are actually signs of learning in action ? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play , I share the 10 main play schemas and how they show up while bak...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Ever thought about baking with your toddler but stopped yourself because of the mess, the chaos, or the fear it’ll all go wrong? You’re not alone. Many parents love the idea of baking with their kids but find the reality overwhelming. Flour on the floor, sticky fingers everywhere, and a kitchen that looks like...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Feeling overwhelmed after birth? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode of Demystifying Child’s Play , I’m joined by Jade from Your Mama Journey . A mum, an accredited mental health social worker, and the creator of beautiful guided journals designed to help women reflect on their birth and postpartum journey...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Parenting twins is a beautiful gift but, it can also feel overwhelming. From double nappies to double tantrums, everything feels doubled. And when it comes to sharing, many parents wonder: Should twins always share? What if they’re constantly fighting over the same toy? How do I teach fairness without endless m...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Messy play can feel like chaos… but what if it’s actually one of the best things you can do for your child’s learning, confidence, and connection? In this episode, I sit down with Sam, founder of Messy Mates, to talk about the hidden magic of messy play and how parents can make it easier (and less stressful!) t...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Bringing a new baby into the world is magical,  but it can also feel overwhelming. Between sleepless nights, adjusting to life as a bigger family, and trying to find time for yourself, it’s easy for mums to feel stretched thin. That’s why this week, I’m joined by Ally from @ EntwinedParenting , who shares her 5...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! If you’re a parent of a toddler or preschooler and you’ve got a newborn on the way, you already know it’s about to be a season of big feelings, big changes, and a whole lot less sleep. Between preparing the cot, stocking up on nappies, and navigating your own emotions, it’s easy to wonder: How will my little on...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Is your home filled with cries of “Muuuum, he took my toy!” or “She wrecked it again!”? If so, you’re definitely not alone and you’re absolutely in the right place. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play Through Play Schemas , we’re diving deep into a topic every parent of more than one young child knows...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! If you’re a parent of toddlers or preschoolers, you’ll know that feeling all too well—time seems to slip through your fingers. One moment your baby is crawling, the next they’re racing across the playground with fearless determination. The days feel long, but the years pass quickly, and it can leave us wonderin...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! “Why is my toddler always dropping things, spinning, or hiding under the table?” If you’ve ever found yourself asking this (or wondering if it’s normal)... this episode is for you. Hi, I’m Ruth from The Play Schemas Collective, and I help parents make sense of their child’s play, so you can stop second-guessing...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Ever wondered why your toddler throws their food, launches toys off the couch, or can’t stop running back and forth? It’s not just chaos - it’s science in action. In this episode, I’m giving you exclusive access to one of the most-loved modules from The Play Schemas Collective - all about trajectory play . You’...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of getting your kids out the door for a walk or a play at the park? You’re not alone. But what if those muddy puddles, long car rides, and slow wanders were actually building blocks for your child’s development? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play , I am joined by Adiva,...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Is your pelvic floor holding you back from truly enjoying play with your kids? You’re not alone — and this episode is here to help. Whether it’s needing to cross your legs when you sneeze, quietly avoiding playing chase the backyard... not to even mention the fear of hearing 'Mum's turn' when it...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Ever feel like you should be playing with your child… but you just can’t bring yourself to do it? Maybe you’re exhausted. Maybe you feel silly or awkward. Maybe you’re not even sure how to play anymore. If this sounds familiar, you are so not alone. In fact, many loving, involved parents feel exactly the same....

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Worried your toddler isn’t “school ready”? Feel like you should be doing flashcards, worksheets, or alphabet drills — but it just doesn’t sit right? This episode is your deep breath and warm reassurance. We’re busting the myth that early literacy needs to look like formal learning and showing you how play , mov...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Connecting with Your Child Through Play — Why It Matters More Than You Think Is your toddler constantly throwing toys, lining them up, or wrapping things in blankets and you’re not quite sure why? What if these repetitive behaviours are actually your child’s way of connecting with you? In this episode of Demyst...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Apply to Join the BETA Test Group – Spaces Are Limited! Applications close 26 June 2025. Only 5 spots available. For more information and to apply now, head to https://playschemas.com/beta Or flick me a DM on Instagram: @Play_Schemas Get FREE access during the BETA round Enjoy a FREE first month once we officia...

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here! Do you ever catch yourself saying, “Be careful!” — even when you’re trying to let your child take healthy risks? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we unpack one of the biggest tensions many parents face: wanting to support our children confidence and...