Trajectory Schema in Children: 20 Interactive Activities

The Trajectory Play Schema: Understanding the Fascination with Movement in Children

From the graceful arc of a thrown ball to the intricate dance of a leaf in the wind, movement captivates us all. For children, especially those on the autism spectrum, this fascination with movement can be particularly pronounced, often manifesting as a deep interest in throwing objects, exploring force and motion, or engaging in repetitive movements. This fascination is often linked to the development of the trajectory schema, a cognitive framework that helps us understand and predict the path of moving objects.

What is the Trajectory Schema?

The trajectory schema (or trajectory play schema) is a fundamental cognitive structure that develops in early childhood. It allows us to understand the relationship between an object’s initial position, the force applied, and its subsequent trajectory. This schema is essential for tasks like throwing, catching, navigating, and even understanding basic physics.

Trajectory Schemas

Athey’s research (2007) on dynamic action schemas identifies a sequential progression in how children develop their understanding of movement. These schemas, which are fundamental to understanding the world, include:

• Dynamic circular:  The ability to understand and replicate circular motions, like spinning a wheel or tracing a circle.
• Going over and under:  Understanding the concepts of over and under, as seen in activities like going under a table or throwing a ball over a fence.
• Going round a boundary:  Recognizing and navigating objects with boundaries, like going around a chair or a tree.
• Going through a boundary:  Understanding the concept of passing through a boundary, like going through a door or tunnel.
• Containing and enveloping space:  Comprehending how objects can be contained or enveloped by space, like putting toys in a box or covering something with a blanket.

Athey’s research highlights the developmental journey from motor behaviours to symbolic representations and, ultimately, to abstract thought.  A child at the motor level might simply repeat an action without any understanding of its symbolic significance.  For example, a child might repeatedly build a tower without verbalizing their thought process.  However, as a child develops their schema, they begin to use symbols to represent their understanding.  This can be seen in actions, marks, or speech.  For instance, a child might drop a jumper into a container while singing a song about falling bottles, demonstrating a symbolic representation of the action.

Trajectory Schema and Throwing Behavior in Autistic Children:

While throwing is a common developmental milestone for most children, it can be particularly captivating for autistic children. This drive to throw objects can stem from several factors:

• Sensory Input: The visual and auditory feedback from throwing objects can be highly stimulating for autistic children, providing a rich sensory experience.
• Predictability and Control: The trajectory schema allows autistic children to predict and control the movement of objects, providing a sense of order and predictability in a world that can often feel chaotic.
• Repetitive Behavior: The repetitive nature of throwing can be soothing and calming for autistic children, providing a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Research on Trajectory Schema and Throwing Behavior in Autistic Children:

While there is limited research specifically on the trajectory schema and throwing behaviour in autistic children, existing studies suggest that:

• Autistic children may have a heightened sensitivity to movement: This can lead to a greater fascination with throwing and other forms of movement.
• Autistic children may have difficulty with motor planning and coordination: This can make throwing more challenging and lead to frustration.
• Autistic children often benefit from structured activities that involve throwing: This can help them develop their motor skills and understand the trajectory schema.

Supporting Children with a Strong Trajectory Schema:

Here are some tips for supporting children with a strong trajectory schema in the classroom:

• Provide opportunities for safe and structured throwing activities: This could include bean bags, soft balls, or even water balloons.
• Encourage experimentation and exploration with different objects and throwing techniques. 
• Integrate throwing into other activities, such as games, sports, or art projects.
• Be patient and understanding: It’s important to remember that autistic children may learn and develop at their own pace.

20 Activities for the Development of Trajectory Schema

Here are 20 activities to support the development of trajectory schema in children, especially those who might be showing a strong interest in throwing or movement:

Simple Throwing Activities:

1. Bean Bag Toss:  Use bean bags and a target (a box, hoop, or even just a line on the floor). Encourage different throwing styles (underhand, overhand, sidearm).

2. Soft Ball Toss:  Use soft balls and a partner to practice catching and throwing. Start close and gradually increase the distance include paint for a creative activity.

3. Water Balloon Toss:  A fun summer activity that encourages controlled throwing and trajectory prediction.

4. Ring Toss:  Use rings and a set of pegs or bottles. This activity emphasises aiming and accuracy.

5. Paper Airplane Competition:  Fold paper aeroplanes and see whose plane flies the furthest or stays in the air the longest.

Exploring Movement and Force:

6. Marble Run:  Create a marble run using cardboard tubes, boxes, and ramps. Observe how the marble’s path changes with different angles and obstacles.

7. Ramp Races:  Use toy cars or marbles and ramps of different heights and angles to explore the relationship between force and speed.

8. Balloon Rockets:  Attach a balloon to a straw and blow air into it to propel it across the room. Experiment with different balloon sizes and air pressure.

9. Windsock Creations:  Make windsocks from fabric scraps and observe how they move in the wind.

10. Pendulum Swings:  Create a simple pendulum using string and a weight. Observe the arc of the swing and how it changes with different starting points.

Games and Activities with a Trajectory Focus:

11. Bowling:  Use bowling pins and a ball to practice aiming and controlling the trajectory of the ball.

12. Mini Golf:  Use a putter and golf balls to navigate a mini golf course. This activity emphasizes predicting the ball’s path and adjusting for obstacles.

13. Catch the Ball:  Use a ball and a partner to practice catching and throwing. This activity requires predicting the trajectory of the ball and adjusting movements accordingly.

14. Target Practice:  Use darts, bean bags, or other projectiles and a target to practice aiming and accuracy.

15. Obstacle Courses:  Create an obstacle course with tunnels, ramps, and other challenges. Encourage children to navigate the course while thinking about the trajectory of their movements.

Sensory and Visual Exploration:

16. Bubble Play:  Blow bubbles and observe how they float and move in the air. This activity provides visual and sensory feedback about trajectory.

17. Water Play:  Use water and containers to explore how water flows and changes direction. This activity can be done with a simple water table or even a bathtub.

18. Light Play:  Use flashlights or lasers to create beams of light and observe how they reflect and refract. This activity explores the concept of light as a trajectory.

19. Shadow Play:  Use a light source and objects to create shadows and observe how they move and change shape. This activity helps children understand the relationship between light and movement.

20. Drawing and Painting:  Encourage children to draw or paint pictures of moving objects, such as cars, aeroplanes, or animals. This activity allows them to express their understanding of trajectory and movement creatively. Big vertical or horizontal lines try with chalk on the floor.

Remember to:

• Adapt these activities to the age and abilities of the children.
• Provide clear instructions and demonstrations.
• Encourage exploration and experimentation.
• Focus on the fun and joy of movement.

Conclusion:

The trajectory schema is a vital cognitive tool that helps us understand and interact with the world around us. For autistic children, this schema is fundamental, influencing their fascination with movement, throwing behaviour, and overall development. By understanding the trajectory schema and its role in autistic children’s learning, educators can create inclusive and engaging learning environments that support their unique needs and interests.

Research Links to Trajectory Schema:

Athey C (2007) Extending Thought in Young Children: A Parent-Teacher Partnership, 2nd edn. London: SAGE.

Callanan, M., Anderson, M., Haywood, S., Hudson, R., Speight -Natcen, S., & Research, S. (2017). Study of Early Education and Development: Good Practice in Early Education. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8061f4ed915d74e622e223/SEED__Good_Practice_in_Early_Education_-_RR553.pdf 

Thomas, A. (2020). Exploring schemas in the Welsh curriculum: A coming to know for practitioners and children. Journal of Early Childhood Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X20969750 

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