Role Substitution in Preschoolers’ Play with Toy Characters
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This paper is a part of the research devoted to observing free play with different role-playing materials in preschool children.Here we describe the results of our observations of preschoolers’ play with toy characters (dolls, figures, soft toys, etc.).It was found that there are significant gender differences in this type of play: boys either do not play at all or play in the director’s position; at the same time, if they take on a role, they tend to ignore toy characters.As it is shown, the number of role-playing names is quite high in the children’s play with toy characters.This may reflect the specific function of this type of material in play.Among the prevailing play topics are family, home, pets, everyday life and motives of care and attention in general.Age analysis showed that the number of children with roles increases at 6 years, while at 5 years — when play is at its peak – role substitution in playing with toy characters is rather ignored by children.
Authors: I.A. Ryabkova, E.G. Sheina
Institution: Moscow State University of Psychology & Education
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Award: G8137169446
OpenAlex ID: W3134699693