Quest game as a means of developing the ability for visual modeling in older preschool children

Abstract

Relevance. The ability to visually model is a universal ability that is formed in preschool age. Children’s mastery of this ability is an important indicator of the child’s mental development and intellectual readiness for school. The quest game is the least studied method of developing the ability to visually model in children. The aim of the study is to explore the possibilities of using the quest game as a means of working on the formation the ability to visual modeling in preschool children. The methodology. The study included three stages: ascertaining, forming and control. To diagnose the ability to visual modeling in children, L.A. Venger’s “Schematization” technique was used. The methodology for developing children’s ability for visual modeling through quest games was based on the following conditions: 1) developing the ability for visual modeling should be carried out in stages: from teaching children to use ready-made visual models to learning to create them; 2) each quest game must include tasks that involve the use of different types of models (spatial, temporal, mathematical, logical) in a single plot. The study involved 41 children aged 5-6 years. Research results. The analysis of the results of the ascertaining stage showed that 43% of children aged 5-6 years who participated in the study had a low ability to visual modeling. The results of the control experiment indicate the effectiveness of the work carried out: indicators of the ability to visually model the children participating in quest games increased; the number of children who showed a low level decreased by 15%.The positive dynamics are due to the following circumstances: 1) The quest game is a fun form of organizing correctional and developmental activities for preschool children; 2) The form of the quest game allows you to include tasks for both the usage and the creation of visual models by children; 3) The quest game makes it possible to use different types of models: spatial, temporal, mathematical, logical, regardless of its plot. Conclusions. The data obtained confirm our assumption that the quest game can be considered as a means of forming the ability to visual modeling in older preschool children.

Keywords

• ability for visual modeling
• preschool children
• correctional and developmental work
• quest game