Understanding the Enveloping Schema in Early Childhood Development
April 2025
The Enveloping Schema refers to a natural behaviour observed in young children who are drawn to wrapping or covering objects or themselves completely. When children engage with this schema, you might see them using paper or fabric to wrap toys, colouring entire sheets of paper in one hue, or even painting their hands entirely. They often create cozy spaces, such as cubbies, where they can hide or feel enclosed, and you might find items buried in sandpits or hidden in unexpected places around the home.
While the Enveloping Schema is sometimes misunderstood as the Enclosing Schema which focuses on surrounding or enclosing an object without fully obscuring it, the Enveloping Schema involves completely covering an object so that it is entirely hidden from view.
Children exploring the Enveloping Schema are engaged in various developmental activities that contribute to their growth:
Body Awareness: As children wrap or cover themselves, they gain a better understanding of their own bodies and how they interact with their environment.
Object Permanence: This schema helps children grasp that objects still exist even when they are completely covered or out of sight, fostering cognitive development.
Mathematical Concepts: Children learn about shapes, space, measurement, and volume as they experiment with different materials for enveloping.
Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Activities like wrapping, hiding, and constructing contribute to the development of motor skills as children manipulate various objects.
Cause and Effect: Through their actions, children begin to understand the outcomes of covering or hiding objects, such as the object becoming invisible or the feeling of security when they are enclosed.
Visual Tracking Skills: Observing changes in their surroundings as they envelop items helps refine their ability to track movements and spatial relationships.
Creative and Critical Thinking: Engaging with the enveloping schema encourages children to think creatively about how to cover objects and problem-solve around how to create enclosures or coverings.
To identify children engaged in the Enveloping Schema, you might notice:
Wrapping Objects: Children may be seen fully covering toys or items in fabric, paper, or other materials.
Hiding Activities: They often bury items in sensory bins or sandpits, indicating a desire to conceal and explore.
Creating Safe Spaces: Building cubbies or using blankets to form enclosed areas demonstrates their interest in creating comforting environments.
To nurture the Enveloping Schema, consider implementing these strategies:
Accessible Materials: Provide a variety of wrapping materials (e.g., fabrics, papers, boxes) that children can use for enveloping activities.
Creative Spaces: Set up areas where children can safely create hiding spots or enclosed spaces, fostering their need for exploration and comfort.
Encourage Inquiry: Ask open-ended questions about their wrapping activities to stimulate critical thinking and conversation about their actions.
Using relevant vocabulary can enhance children’s understanding and expression of their experiences. Key terms include:
Positional Language: Under, over, in, on, around, above, below, behind.
Action Words: Cover, wrap, unwrap, enclose.
Measurement Terms: Full, half full, empty.
Visibility Concepts: Visible, invisible, hidden, transparent, translucent, opaque.
Shape and Size Vocabulary: Square, large, thick.
While the Enveloping Schema can be incredibly beneficial for learning, it can also lead to challenges, especially when items are hidden or buried. Here are some tips for balancing this:
Regular Checks: Conduct periodic checks for items that may have been hidden or wrapped away.
Defined Areas: Create specific zones where enveloping activities can take place and encourage items to be returned to their ‘home’ afterwards.
Structured Activities: Introduce guided activities that incorporate the enveloping schema, such as art projects that involve wrapping or covering items, to provide focused opportunities for learning.
The Enveloping Schema plays a crucial role in early childhood development, offering children the chance to explore their environment, build a sense of security, and develop essential skills. By supporting this schema through engaging activities, and relevant vocabulary you can foster a rich learning experience that encourages exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. Celebrate your child’s curiosity as they wrap, cover, and hide their way through their developmental journey!
