Background. The article is devoted to the study of the current state of senior preschooler’s free play and the resources for its development through non-directive pedagogical support. Despite the introduction of the Federal State Educational Standard and the great attention paid to the topic of play all over the world, the state of children’s play is alarming. This was confirmed by the ascertaining stage of our study, which showed its extremely low level in 86% of children.
The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the key indicators of free story-driven play and to identify the impact of regular play meetings with non-directive pedagogical support on its development.
Description of the research progress. The study involved 37 senior preschoolers aged 5.8–6.5 years. The methodological apparatus of the study was a modified method by E.O. Smirnova, I.A. Ryabkova. Through observation and careful data recording, play features were obtained and described in terms of such parameters as subject-spatial and content component, game and organizing interaction. The examined group of children was divided into two parts: experimental and control groups. A formative experiment involving 19 children was carried out for two months and was dedicated to exploring the possibilities of developing the play through its non-directive support. Children of the experimental group came once a week for 45-minute play sessions with non-directive support, which were held in a separate room of the kindergarten using of multifunctional material and the absence of traditional toys. Children of the control group continued to lead their usual lifestyle and occasionally came to play, but without special play support. The article describes the principles of pedagogical support, the use of which made it possible to change the features of children’s inclusion in the play and to state the development of different indicators of the game.
Research results. Data analysis showed statistically significant differences in the quality of children’s play in the experimental group and the absence of such differences in the control group. The interaction of children organizing the play and the subject-spatial component of the play have been developed. Game interaction and the content component of the play have not changed so much as a result of play meetings.
Conclusion. The use of unformed materials gave a lot of impulses to both play and construction, productive activities to provide children with play needs. Children’s play initiative has increased, and ways of resolving conflicts have changed. The results obtained and the described approaches can serve as practical material for teachers.