Development, Schemas
Development, Schemas
Why is he throwing?
Why is he throwing?
Daniel reached out about his 18 month old son, who had developed a habit of throwing toys across the room. It wasn't dropping, it was deliberate forceful throwing, over and over. He wondered if something was wrong
Daniel reached out about his 18 month old son, who had developed a habit of throwing toys across the room. It wasn't dropping, it was deliberate forceful throwing, over and over. He wondered if something was wrong
The challenge
The challenge
For a long time, everything within reach was launched across the room. Lego, cutlery, toys. The throwing didn't show anger, nor was it directed at anything. Still, Daniel couldn't understand why his son was doing this so intensely.
For a long time, everything within reach was launched across the room. Lego, cutlery, toys. The throwing didn't show anger, nor was it directed at anything. Still, Daniel couldn't understand why his son was doing this so intensely.
For a long time, everything within reach was launched across the room. Lego, cutlery, toys. The throwing didn't show anger, nor was it directed at anything. Still, Daniel couldn't understand why his son was doing this so intensely.
Daniel
Daniel
The Journey
The Journey
From the beginning, this wasn't about 'bad behaviour'. It was about pattern recognition. At 18 months, toddlers are immersed in sensorimotor exploration (learning through movement). What looked repetitive was actually purposeful. The key here was to understand what he was experimenting with before, during, and after each throw.
Starting Point
We slowed and analysed his behaviour. By exploring questions such as What was happening before he threw the toy? Did he watch it land? Retrieve it? Repeat with a similar toy? His emotional world appeared curious, focused, energised… no signs of distress to be seen.
My Approach
I introduced Daniel to the concept of schemas, repeated patterns of behaviour through which toddlers explore their world. His son was likely immersed in a trajectory schema: an interest in movement through space. Throwing allows a child to study force, weight, speed, sound and gravity in real time. Importantly, the throws were not directed at people; they were about the journey. We discussed offering safe opportunities to explore this, rather than suppressing the instinct. Alarming behaviours are now turned into observational understanding.
Starting Point
We slowed and analysed his behaviour. By exploring questions such as What was happening before he threw the toy? Did he watch it land? Retrieve it? Repeat with a similar toy? His emotional world appeared curious, focused, energised… no signs of distress to be seen.
My Approach
I introduced Daniel to the concept of schemas, repeated patterns of behaviour through which toddlers explore their world. His son was likely immersed in a trajectory schema: an interest in movement through space. Throwing allows a child to study force, weight, speed, sound and gravity in real time. Importantly, the throws were not directed at people; they were about the journey. We discussed offering safe opportunities to explore this, rather than suppressing the instinct. Alarming behaviours are now turned into observational understanding.
"I'm just happy he didn't throw his plastic pizza slice at the TV"
"I'm just happy he didn't throw his plastic pizza slice at the TV"
Daniel
Daniel
"I'm just happy he didn't throw his plastic pizza slice at the TV"
Daniel
Final Reflections
A few weeks later, Daniel told me how his son was behaving differently. The throwing was seen through different eyes, and it felt less concerning than before. He began to notice the concentration on his son's face. What Daniel once felt as disruptive now appeared developmental. The understanding that his son was mapping out physics through his body and movement.
Final Reflections
A few weeks later, Daniel told me how his son was behaving differently. The throwing was seen through different eyes, and it felt less concerning than before. He began to notice the concentration on his son's face. What Daniel once felt as disruptive now appeared developmental. The understanding that his son was mapping out physics through his body and movement.
Ready to find your path?
Ready to find your path?
If this story resonates with you, maybe it’s time to start your own journey
If this story resonates with you, maybe it’s time to start your own journey
Prefer to chat first? Send me an email or connect with us on social, I'm always happy to help.
Prefer to chat first? Send me an email or connect with us on social, I'm always happy to help.