Alexis Ralphs

I'm Alexis, father of four and founder of One Hundred Toys, Get Set Five, A Year With My Child. I taught in London primary schools for thirteen years, specialising in the early years. I studied at the Institute of Education, part of the University of London, both for my PGCE and my as-yet-unfinished masters. I'm especially interested in schemas and how they help us understand the motivations behind toddlers' play.

Uncovering the Mysteries of Stacking Toys

A set of three Grimm's wooden stacking rings

Close your eyes. Now imagine a ‘classic’ children’s toy, something educational, something iconic. There’s a good chance the toy you imagined was a set of stacking rings. These conical towers of concentric rings are perhaps the quintessential toy.  Stacking toys have been a cornerstone in children’s playrooms for generations, fascinating young minds with their simple […]

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The enclosing schema

A child making an enclosure with wooden building blocks

The enclosing schema is a cognitive pattern that is commonly observed in young children’s play. It involves creating an enclosed space or structure using objects or materials, such as building a fort out of pillows and blankets or using blocks to create a castle. This schema reflects the child’s desire to create a sense of

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Paper Aeroplane

Paper Aeroplane

Most of us has our own way of making a paper airplane, usually passed down from a parent or grandparent. Some of us make pointy jet-style aircraft, others fashion planes with snubby noses and wider wings. Some plummet headfirst to the ground, others seem to float more gracefully. The permutations are literally manifold. This makes

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