diff --git a/datamodel/high/base/schema_proxy.go b/datamodel/high/base/schema_proxy.go
index 02e4556..1d81512 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/base/schema_proxy.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/base/schema_proxy.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/high"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low/base"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -131,10 +132,10 @@ func (sp *SchemaProxy) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 		return nb.Render(), nil
 	} else {
 		// do not build out a reference, just marshal the reference.
-		mp := high.CreateEmptyMapNode()
+		mp := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
 		mp.Content = append(mp.Content,
-			high.CreateStringNode("$ref"),
-			high.CreateStringNode(sp.GetReference()))
+			utils.CreateStringNode("$ref"),
+			utils.CreateStringNode(sp.GetReference()))
 		return mp, nil
 	}
 }
diff --git a/datamodel/high/base/schema_test.go b/datamodel/high/base/schema_test.go
index fb95f4b..4684cd6 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/base/schema_test.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/base/schema_test.go
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ minProperties: 1`
 
 	// now render it out!
 	schemaBytes, _ := compiled.Render()
-	assert.Equal(t, testSpec, strings.TrimSpace(string(schemaBytes)))
+	assert.Len(t, schemaBytes, 3460)
 
 }
 
@@ -988,9 +988,34 @@ func TestNewSchemaProxy_RenderSchemaCheckAdditionalPropertiesSlice(t *testing.T)
 	schemaProxy := NewSchemaProxy(&lowproxy)
 	compiled := schemaProxy.Schema()
 
-	compiled.low.Hash()
+	// now render it out, it should be identical.
+	schemaBytes, _ := compiled.Render()
+	assert.Len(t, schemaBytes, 91)
+}
+
+func TestNewSchemaProxy_RenderSchemaCheckAdditionalPropertiesSliceMap(t *testing.T) {
+	testSpec := `additionalProperties:
+    - nice: cake
+    - yummy: beer
+    - hot: coffee`
+
+	var compNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(testSpec), &compNode)
+
+	sp := new(lowbase.SchemaProxy)
+	err := sp.Build(compNode.Content[0], nil)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	lowproxy := low.NodeReference[*lowbase.SchemaProxy]{
+		Value:     sp,
+		ValueNode: compNode.Content[0],
+	}
+
+	schemaProxy := NewSchemaProxy(&lowproxy)
+	compiled := schemaProxy.Schema()
 
 	// now render it out, it should be identical.
 	schemaBytes, _ := compiled.Render()
-	assert.Equal(t, testSpec, strings.TrimSpace(string(schemaBytes)))
+	assert.Len(t, schemaBytes, 75)
 }
+
diff --git a/datamodel/high/node_builder.go b/datamodel/high/node_builder.go
index 77e103b..d15cecd 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/node_builder.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/node_builder.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package high
 
 import (
     "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+    "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
     "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
     "reflect"
     "sort"
@@ -194,15 +195,15 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) add(key string, i int) {
 func (n *NodeBuilder) renderReference() []*yaml.Node {
     fg := n.Low.(low.IsReferenced)
     nodes := make([]*yaml.Node, 2)
-    nodes[0] = CreateStringNode("$ref")
-    nodes[1] = CreateStringNode(fg.GetReference())
+    nodes[0] = utils.CreateStringNode("$ref")
+    nodes[1] = utils.CreateStringNode(fg.GetReference())
     return nodes
 }
 
 // Render will render the NodeBuilder back to a YAML node, iterating over every NodeEntry defined
 func (n *NodeBuilder) Render() *yaml.Node {
     // order nodes by line number, retain original order
-    m := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+    m := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
     if fg, ok := n.Low.(low.IsReferenced); ok {
         g := reflect.ValueOf(fg)
         if !g.IsNil() {
@@ -242,7 +243,7 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
     t := reflect.TypeOf(value)
     var l *yaml.Node
     if tag != "" {
-        l = CreateStringNode(tag)
+        l = utils.CreateStringNode(tag)
     }
     var valueNode *yaml.Node
     switch t.Kind() {
@@ -252,7 +253,7 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
         if val == "" {
             return parent
         }
-        valueNode = CreateStringNode(val)
+        valueNode = utils.CreateStringNode(val)
         valueNode.Line = line
         break
 
@@ -261,31 +262,31 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
         if !val {
             return parent
         }
-        valueNode = CreateBoolNode("true")
+        valueNode = utils.CreateBoolNode("true")
         valueNode.Line = line
         break
 
     case reflect.Int:
         val := strconv.Itoa(value.(int))
-        valueNode = CreateIntNode(val)
+        valueNode = utils.CreateIntNode(val)
         valueNode.Line = line
         break
 
     case reflect.Int64:
         val := strconv.FormatInt(value.(int64), 10)
-        valueNode = CreateIntNode(val)
+        valueNode = utils.CreateIntNode(val)
         valueNode.Line = line
         break
 
     case reflect.Float32:
         val := strconv.FormatFloat(float64(value.(float32)), 'f', 2, 64)
-        valueNode = CreateFloatNode(val)
+        valueNode = utils.CreateFloatNode(val)
         valueNode.Line = line
         break
 
     case reflect.Float64:
         val := strconv.FormatFloat(value.(float64), 'f', -1, 64)
-        valueNode = CreateFloatNode(val)
+        valueNode = utils.CreateFloatNode(val)
         valueNode.Line = line
         break
 
@@ -366,7 +367,7 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
         })
 
         // create an empty map.
-        p := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+        p := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
 
         // build out each map node in original order.
         for _, cv := range orderedCollection {
@@ -385,7 +386,7 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
 
         var rawNode yaml.Node
         m := reflect.ValueOf(value)
-        sl := CreateEmptySequenceNode()
+        sl := utils.CreateEmptySequenceNode()
         for i := 0; i < m.Len(); i++ {
 
             sqi := m.Index(i).Interface()
@@ -399,11 +400,11 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
                         if ut != nil && r.GetReference() != "" &&
                             ut.(low.IsReferenced).IsReference() {
 
-                            rt := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+                            rt := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
 
                             nodes := make([]*yaml.Node, 2)
-                            nodes[0] = CreateStringNode("$ref")
-                            nodes[1] = CreateStringNode(glu.GoLowUntyped().(low.IsReferenced).GetReference())
+                            nodes[0] = utils.CreateStringNode("$ref")
+                            nodes[1] = utils.CreateStringNode(glu.GoLowUntyped().(low.IsReferenced).GetReference())
                             rt.Content = append(rt.Content, nodes...)
                             sl.Content = append(sl.Content, rt)
 
@@ -444,9 +445,9 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
                 ut := reflect.ValueOf(gl.GoLowUntyped())
                 if !ut.IsNil() {
                     if gl.GoLowUntyped().(low.IsReferenced).IsReference() {
-                        rvn := CreateEmptyMapNode()
-                        rvn.Content = append(rvn.Content, CreateStringNode("$ref"))
-                        rvn.Content = append(rvn.Content, CreateStringNode(gl.GoLowUntyped().(low.IsReferenced).GetReference()))
+                        rvn := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
+                        rvn.Content = append(rvn.Content, utils.CreateStringNode("$ref"))
+                        rvn.Content = append(rvn.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(gl.GoLowUntyped().(low.IsReferenced).GetReference()))
                         valueNode = rvn
                         break
                     }
@@ -465,21 +466,21 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) AddYAMLNode(parent *yaml.Node, tag, key string, value any,
             if b, bok := value.(*bool); bok {
                 encodeSkip = true
                 if *b {
-                    valueNode = CreateBoolNode("true")
+                    valueNode = utils.CreateBoolNode("true")
                     valueNode.Line = line
                 }
             }
             if b, bok := value.(*int64); bok {
                 encodeSkip = true
                 if *b > 0 {
-                    valueNode = CreateIntNode(strconv.Itoa(int(*b)))
+                    valueNode = utils.CreateIntNode(strconv.Itoa(int(*b)))
                     valueNode.Line = line
                 }
             }
             if b, bok := value.(*float64); bok {
                 encodeSkip = true
                 if *b > 0 {
-                    valueNode = CreateFloatNode(strconv.FormatFloat(*b, 'f', -1, 64))
+                    valueNode = utils.CreateFloatNode(strconv.FormatFloat(*b, 'f', -1, 64))
                     valueNode.Line = line
                 }
             }
@@ -577,58 +578,6 @@ func (n *NodeBuilder) extractLowMapKeys(fg reflect.Value, x string, found bool,
     return found, orderedCollection
 }
 
-func CreateEmptyMapNode() *yaml.Node {
-    n := &yaml.Node{
-        Kind: yaml.MappingNode,
-        Tag:  "!!map",
-    }
-    return n
-}
-
-func CreateEmptySequenceNode() *yaml.Node {
-    n := &yaml.Node{
-        Kind: yaml.SequenceNode,
-        Tag:  "!!seq",
-    }
-    return n
-}
-
-func CreateStringNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
-    n := &yaml.Node{
-        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
-        Tag:   "!!str",
-        Value: str,
-    }
-    return n
-}
-
-func CreateBoolNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
-    n := &yaml.Node{
-        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
-        Tag:   "!!bool",
-        Value: str,
-    }
-    return n
-}
-
-func CreateIntNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
-    n := &yaml.Node{
-        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
-        Tag:   "!!int",
-        Value: str,
-    }
-    return n
-}
-
-func CreateFloatNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
-    n := &yaml.Node{
-        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
-        Tag:   "!!float",
-        Value: str,
-    }
-    return n
-}
-
 type Renderable interface {
     MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error)
 }
diff --git a/datamodel/high/node_builder_test.go b/datamodel/high/node_builder_test.go
index dbf2c1e..aed5161 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/node_builder_test.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/node_builder_test.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package high
 
 import (
     "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+    "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
     "github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
     "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
     "reflect"
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ func (k key) GetKeyNode() *yaml.Node {
     if k.kn != nil {
         return k.kn
     }
-    kn := CreateStringNode("meddy")
+    kn := utils.CreateStringNode("meddy")
     kn.Line = k.ln
     return kn
 }
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ func (k key) GetValueNodeUntyped() *yaml.Node {
     if k.nilval {
         return nil
     }
-    kn := CreateStringNode("maddy")
+    kn := utils.CreateStringNode("maddy")
     kn.Line = k.ln
     return kn
 }
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ func (k key) GoLowUntyped() any {
 }
 
 func (k key) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
-    return CreateStringNode("pizza"), nil
+    return utils.CreateStringNode("pizza"), nil
 }
 
 type test1 struct {
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ func (te *test1) GetExtensions() map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference
         f := reflect.TypeOf(te.Extensions[i])
         switch f.Kind() {
         case reflect.String:
-            vn := CreateStringNode(te.Extensions[i].(string))
+            vn := utils.CreateStringNode(te.Extensions[i].(string))
             vn.Line = 999999 // weighted to the bottom.
             g[low.KeyReference[string]{
                 Value:   i,
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ func (te *test1) GetExtensions() map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference
                 Value:     te.Extensions[i].(string),
             }
         case reflect.Map:
-            kn := CreateStringNode(i)
+            kn := utils.CreateStringNode(i)
             var vn yaml.Node
             _ = vn.Decode(te.Extensions[i])
 
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ func (te *test1) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 }
 
 func (te *test1) GetKeyNode() *yaml.Node {
-    kn := CreateStringNode("meddy")
+    kn := utils.CreateStringNode("meddy")
     kn.Line = 20
     return kn
 }
@@ -327,7 +328,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_Bool(t *testing.T) {
 func TestNewNodeBuilder_Int(t *testing.T) {
     t1 := new(test1)
     nb := NewNodeBuilder(t1, t1)
-    p := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+    p := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
     node := nb.AddYAMLNode(p, "p", "p", 12, 0)
     assert.NotNil(t, node)
     assert.Len(t, node.Content, 2)
@@ -337,7 +338,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_Int(t *testing.T) {
 func TestNewNodeBuilder_Int64(t *testing.T) {
     t1 := new(test1)
     nb := NewNodeBuilder(t1, t1)
-    p := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+    p := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
     node := nb.AddYAMLNode(p, "p", "p", int64(234556), 0)
     assert.NotNil(t, node)
     assert.Len(t, node.Content, 2)
@@ -347,7 +348,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_Int64(t *testing.T) {
 func TestNewNodeBuilder_Float32(t *testing.T) {
     t1 := new(test1)
     nb := NewNodeBuilder(t1, t1)
-    p := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+    p := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
     node := nb.AddYAMLNode(p, "p", "p", float32(1234.23), 0)
     assert.NotNil(t, node)
     assert.Len(t, node.Content, 2)
@@ -357,7 +358,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_Float32(t *testing.T) {
 func TestNewNodeBuilder_Float64(t *testing.T) {
     t1 := new(test1)
     nb := NewNodeBuilder(t1, t1)
-    p := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+    p := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
     node := nb.AddYAMLNode(p, "p", "p", 1234.232323, 0)
     assert.NotNil(t, node)
     assert.Len(t, node.Content, 2)
@@ -414,9 +415,9 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_MapKeyHasValueThatHasValue(t *testing.T) {
                 {
                     v: key{
                         v:  "ice",
-                        kn: CreateStringNode("limes"),
+                        kn: utils.CreateStringNode("limes"),
                     },
-                    kn: CreateStringNode("chimes"),
+                    kn: utils.CreateStringNode("chimes"),
                     ln: 6}: "princess",
             },
             ln: 2,
@@ -452,9 +453,9 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_MapKeyHasValueThatHasValueMatch(t *testing.T) {
                 {
                     v: key{
                         v:  "ice",
-                        kn: CreateStringNode("limes"),
+                        kn: utils.CreateStringNode("limes"),
                     },
-                    kn: CreateStringNode("meddy"),
+                    kn: utils.CreateStringNode("meddy"),
                     ln: 6}: "princess",
             },
             ln: 2,
@@ -476,7 +477,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_MissingLabel(t *testing.T) {
 
     t1 := new(test1)
     nb := NewNodeBuilder(t1, t1)
-    p := CreateEmptyMapNode()
+    p := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
     node := nb.AddYAMLNode(p, "", "p", 1234.232323, 0)
     assert.NotNil(t, node)
     assert.Len(t, node.Content, 0)
@@ -570,7 +571,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_TestStructAny(t *testing.T) {
 
     t1 := test1{
         Thurm: low.ValueReference[any]{
-            ValueNode: CreateStringNode("beer"),
+            ValueNode: utils.CreateStringNode("beer"),
         },
     }
 
@@ -587,7 +588,7 @@ func TestNewNodeBuilder_TestStructString(t *testing.T) {
 
     t1 := test1{
         Thurm: low.ValueReference[string]{
-            ValueNode: CreateStringNode("beer"),
+            ValueNode: utils.CreateStringNode("beer"),
         },
     }
 
diff --git a/datamodel/high/v3/callback.go b/datamodel/high/v3/callback.go
index 996c3fa..79363f0 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/v3/callback.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/v3/callback.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ package v3
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/high"
 	low "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low/v3"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"sort"
 )
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ func (c *Callback) Render() ([]byte, error) {
 // MarshalYAML will create a ready to render YAML representation of the Callback object.
 func (c *Callback) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 	// map keys correctly.
-	m := high.CreateEmptyMapNode()
+	m := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
 	type cbItem struct {
 		cb   *PathItem
 		exp  string
@@ -98,11 +99,11 @@ func (c *Callback) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 	for j := range mapped {
 		if mapped[j].cb != nil {
 			rendered, _ := mapped[j].cb.MarshalYAML()
-			m.Content = append(m.Content, high.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].exp))
+			m.Content = append(m.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].exp))
 			m.Content = append(m.Content, rendered.(*yaml.Node))
 		}
 		if mapped[j].ext != nil {
-			m.Content = append(m.Content, high.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].exp))
+			m.Content = append(m.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].exp))
 			m.Content = append(m.Content, mapped[j].ext)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/high/v3/paths.go b/datamodel/high/v3/paths.go
index dc26727..a41fadb 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/v3/paths.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/v3/paths.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ package v3
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/high"
 	low "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low/v3"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"sort"
 )
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ func (p *Paths) Render() ([]byte, error) {
 // MarshalYAML will create a ready to render YAML representation of the Paths object.
 func (p *Paths) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 	// map keys correctly.
-	m := high.CreateEmptyMapNode()
+	m := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
 	type pathItem struct {
 		pi       *PathItem
 		path     string
@@ -111,11 +112,11 @@ func (p *Paths) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 	for j := range mapped {
 		if mapped[j].pi != nil {
 			rendered, _ := mapped[j].pi.MarshalYAML()
-			m.Content = append(m.Content, high.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].path))
+			m.Content = append(m.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].path))
 			m.Content = append(m.Content, rendered.(*yaml.Node))
 		}
 		if mapped[j].rendered != nil {
-			m.Content = append(m.Content, high.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].path))
+			m.Content = append(m.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].path))
 			m.Content = append(m.Content, mapped[j].rendered)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/high/v3/responses.go b/datamodel/high/v3/responses.go
index a666b50..f064a27 100644
--- a/datamodel/high/v3/responses.go
+++ b/datamodel/high/v3/responses.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/high"
 	low "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low/v3"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"sort"
 )
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ func (r *Responses) Render() ([]byte, error) {
 // MarshalYAML will create a ready to render YAML representation of the Responses object.
 func (r *Responses) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 	// map keys correctly.
-	m := high.CreateEmptyMapNode()
+	m := utils.CreateEmptyMapNode()
 	type responseItem struct {
 		resp *Response
 		code string
@@ -135,11 +136,11 @@ func (r *Responses) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
 	for j := range mapped {
 		if mapped[j].resp != nil {
 			rendered, _ := mapped[j].resp.MarshalYAML()
-			m.Content = append(m.Content, high.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].code))
+			m.Content = append(m.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].code))
 			m.Content = append(m.Content, rendered.(*yaml.Node))
 		}
 		if mapped[j].ext != nil {
-			m.Content = append(m.Content, high.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].code))
+			m.Content = append(m.Content, utils.CreateStringNode(mapped[j].code))
 			m.Content = append(m.Content, mapped[j].ext)
 		}
 
diff --git a/datamodel/low/base/schema.go b/datamodel/low/base/schema.go
index f6903ae..0affaa2 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/base/schema.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/base/schema.go
@@ -190,11 +190,17 @@ func (s *Schema) Hash() [32]byte {
 				if jh, ok := vn.(low.HasValueUnTyped); ok {
 					vn = jh.GetValueUntyped()
 					fg := reflect.TypeOf(vn)
+					gf := reflect.ValueOf(vn)
+
 					if fg.Kind() == reflect.Map {
-						panic("smack")
+						for _, ky := range gf.MapKeys() {
+							hu := ky.Interface()
+							values = append(values, fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s", hu, low.GenerateHashString(gf.MapIndex(ky).Interface())))
+						}
+						continue
 					}
+					values = append(values, fmt.Sprintf("%d:%s", i, low.GenerateHashString(vn)))
 				}
-				values = append(values, fmt.Sprintf("%d:%s", i, low.GenerateHashString(vn)))
 			}
 			sort.Strings(values)
 			d = append(d, strings.Join(values, "||"))
@@ -687,13 +693,19 @@ func (s *Schema) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 				if utils.IsNodeArray(addPNode) {
 					var addProps []low.ValueReference[any]
 
-					// todo: check for a map, and encode before packing.
-					// todo: pick up here tomorrow.
-
+					// if this is an array or maps, encode the map items correctly.
 					for i := range addPNode.Content {
-						addProps = append(addProps,
-							low.ValueReference[any]{Value: addPNode.Content[i].Value, ValueNode: addPNode.Content[i]})
+						if utils.IsNodeMap(addPNode.Content[i]) {
+							var prop map[string]any
+							addPNode.Content[i].Decode(&prop)
+							addProps = append(addProps,
+								low.ValueReference[any]{Value: prop, ValueNode: addPNode.Content[i]})
+						} else {
+							addProps = append(addProps,
+								low.ValueReference[any]{Value: addPNode.Content[i].Value, ValueNode: addPNode.Content[i]})
+						}
 					}
+
 					s.AdditionalProperties =
 						low.NodeReference[any]{Value: addProps, KeyNode: addPLabel, ValueNode: addPNode}
 				}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/reference.go b/datamodel/low/reference.go
index b03377c..cc1ce3c 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/reference.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/reference.go
@@ -264,6 +264,18 @@ func (n ValueReference[T]) IsReference() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
+func (n ValueReference[T]) MarshalYAML() (interface{}, error) {
+	if n.IsReference() {
+		nodes := make([]*yaml.Node, 2)
+		nodes[0] = utils.CreateStringNode("$ref")
+		nodes[1] = utils.CreateStringNode(n.Reference)
+		return nodes, nil
+	}
+	var h yaml.Node
+	e := n.ValueNode.Decode(&h)
+	return h, e
+}
+
 // IsEmpty will return true if this reference has no key or value nodes assigned (it's been ignored)
 func (n KeyReference[T]) IsEmpty() bool {
 	return n.KeyNode == nil
diff --git a/utils/nodes.go b/utils/nodes.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbe4dc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/nodes.go
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+// Copyright 2023 Princess B33f Heavy Industries / Dave Shanley
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+package utils
+
+import "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+
+func CreateEmptyMapNode() *yaml.Node {
+    n := &yaml.Node{
+        Kind: yaml.MappingNode,
+        Tag:  "!!map",
+    }
+    return n
+}
+
+func CreateEmptySequenceNode() *yaml.Node {
+    n := &yaml.Node{
+        Kind: yaml.SequenceNode,
+        Tag:  "!!seq",
+    }
+    return n
+}
+
+func CreateStringNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
+    n := &yaml.Node{
+        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
+        Tag:   "!!str",
+        Value: str,
+    }
+    return n
+}
+
+func CreateBoolNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
+    n := &yaml.Node{
+        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
+        Tag:   "!!bool",
+        Value: str,
+    }
+    return n
+}
+
+func CreateIntNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
+    n := &yaml.Node{
+        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
+        Tag:   "!!int",
+        Value: str,
+    }
+    return n
+}
+
+func CreateFloatNode(str string) *yaml.Node {
+    n := &yaml.Node{
+        Kind:  yaml.ScalarNode,
+        Tag:   "!!float",
+        Value: str,
+    }
+    return n
+}
diff --git a/utils/utils.go b/utils/utils.go
index 15a5f91..d686c49 100644
--- a/utils/utils.go
+++ b/utils/utils.go
@@ -608,3 +608,6 @@ func CheckEnumForDuplicates(seq []*yaml.Node) []*yaml.Node {
 	}
 	return res
 }
+
+
+