Pavel I. Taruntaev

Relevance of the article. Preschoolers are active users of modern digital devices, and therefore their media activity is increasingly becoming the subject of close attention. Scientists disagree on whether gadgets positively or negatively effect on the development of a child’s psyche, and what types of media activity have a positive effect on the success of preschoolers.

The aim of the study: to identify differences in the level of development of mental abilities of senior preschoolers in two groups: those using digital devices mainly for watching cartoons and videos, and those using digital devices mainly for video games and applications.

Description of the research progress. The study involved 267 senior preschool children and their parents. Parents filled out a questionnaire (Bortsova, Nekrasov, 2020) aimed at studying the child’s predominant way of using digital devices and screen time indicators. Children aged 5–7 years were divided into two groups: those who predominantly watch videos and cartoons (passive screen time), and those who prefer video games and applications (active screen time). The level of development of children’s mental abilities was studied using a battery of techniques created under the guidance of L.A. Venger. According to the level of imagination development, the children were divided into three groups based on the results of the “Complete the Drawing” technique (Dyachenko, 2007). The results of the development of intellectual and creative abilities of two groups of children were compared using the Student’s t-test and one-factor analysis of variance.

Research results. Children using digital devices primarily for video games and applications had a higher level of mental development compared to the group of children using digital devices primarily for watching cartoons and videos. Children with low levels of nonverbal imagination spent more time in front of digital device screens than children with medium and high levels.

Conclusions. Modern computer games and applications have the potential to develop the intellectual abilities of older preschoolers. At the same time, interaction with digital devices negatively affects the development of imagination.

Relevance (context) of the article. Various media products are becoming an integral part of modern childhood, transmitting cultural patterns, moral norms, values and knowledge to the child. A cartoon, as a popular form of art, can have a high developmental potential for children and form their prosocial behavior. Considering how much a modern child watches various media products, it is extremely important to understand how and under what conditions a cartoon can become a means of child development.

The aim of the study. Consideration of the mechanisms of influence of the cartoon on the child, as well as conditions for enhancing the developmental potential of media products. In accordance with the aim, the tasks were set to develop a form of work with children “Children’s Cinema Evening “, as well as to test its effectiveness with the help of a formative experiment.

Description of the research progress. Based on the analysis of research in the field of media influence on a child, we have described the mechanisms of this influence, and also developed principles that allow us to enhance the developing potential of a cartoon. They consist in: matching the content to the age characteristics of the child, demonstrating prosocial behavior by characters on the screen, active participation of an adult in viewing, and consolidating the experience gained in practice through games and exercises. Based on these scientific data, we have developed the aims, objectives, structure and organization of the “Children’s Cinema Evening “, in which the cartoon acts as a means of children’s development. The effectiveness of the Cinema Evening for the formation of prosocial behavior was confirmed by a formative experiment, which was conducted on the basis of the private kindergarten “Interesting Kindergarten” in two stages. The study involved 39 children aged 5-6 years. The experimental group included 20 children aged 5-6 who attended a Children’s Cinema Evening 2 times a month in small groups for six months in the 2019/2020 academic year. The control group included 19 children aged 5-6 years.

Research methods used: “Map of observations on the manifestations of communicative abilities in preschool children” (Shchetinina A.M.), “Unfinished Stories”, “Pictures” (E.O. Smirnova, V.M. Kholmogorova).

Research results. The results of the formative experiment showed that the active participation of an adult in watching a cartoon by children on the basis of the principles we have outlined within the framework of the Children’s Cinema Evening forms prosocial behavior in senior preschool children (development of empathy and goodwill, formation of prosocial attitudes and reduction of aggression in a conflict situation).

Conclusions. “Children’s Cinema Evening” as a modern form of work with children using media technologies, allows you to effectively use the developing potential of a cartoon for the formation of prosocial behavior in senior preschoolers.