Abstract

Background. The relevance of the article is determined by the need to consider the socio-cultural situation of modern childhood and child subculture, as well as the need to find ways to resolve the crisis of childhood. In a convergent environ- ment of development and information socialization, the analysis of the role of game and toys, of watching animated films and playing computer games in the development of a preschooler allows us to outline a strategy to overcome the crisis by modernizing the system of preschool education. 

Objective. The aim of the work is to analyse the scientific heritage of Doctor in, Professor E.O. Smirnova, in whose works an original concept of play activity and toys was developed. The concept considers play at preschool age in the con- ditions of modern childhood on theoretical, methodological and practice-oriented levels. 

Results. It is maintained that play is a source for autonomy and initiative of the child, indicating the development of personality in childhood. The characteristics of the children’s subculture, reflecting the crisis of childhood, are highlight- ed. Special attention is paid to the trends in the transformation of toys and the role of cartoons and computer games in a convergent development environment. The causes of the crisis of childhood are considered. These causes are associated with violation of the intermediary mission of an adult when transmitting socio-cultural experience, with break in moti- vation and modes of action of a child, with alienation of meaning in activity, with blocking creative independent activity and initiative of a child, with reduction of development to the “knowledge-ability-skill” learning paradigm. The goals and objectives of psychological expertise are defined. Criteria for expert evaluation of toys and cartoons are developed. The requirements for computer games, reflecting the social demand for the content to provide developing, safe information environment, are formulated. 

Conclusion. The necessary condition for overcoming the crisis of childhood is the strategy of constructing a safe developing convergent environment for child’s mental development in preschool age. This strategy is based on the psy- chological examination of toys, cartoons, and computer games. The progress of personality development is determined by the support for the autonomy and initiative in typical activities of preschool age children: play, cognition, perception of animated films in cooperation with adults and peers.