In psychology, playing is traditionally considered the most developing form of preschool children’s activity. Nowadays, despite the large amount of research demonstrating the significant impact of pretend play on the psychological development of the preschoolers, project-based learning is widespread in kindergartens. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to determine whether it is enough for the successful development of the preschool children to include them in pretend play or whether it is important to use other educational technologies as well. According to the cultural-historical and activity-based approaches in the educational psychology, the key features of play and project-based learning are identified as fundamental for the development of the preschoolers. Based on the identified key features, the authors conduct a comparative analysis of play and project-based learning in order to determine their fundamental differences. The results of the analysis show that these types of activities have their own developmental tools: an imaginary situation (in play) and a space for children’s realization (for project-based activity). It is also demonstrated that inclusion in pretend play involves a process orientation caused by the underdevelopment of the operational sphere in the preschoolers, while project-based learning is result-oriented activity aimed at creating a socially significant product. Finally, an essential point in play and project-based activity is associated with the role of the adult. In play, the child is independent, being the subject of play activity. In project activities, the child is the author of an idea, with the adult being the child’s interpreter. The research shows the fundamental differences between pretend play and project-based activity for the development of the preschoolers, which should be taken into account when working with children of this age.

This study aimed to examine the relationship of the types of digital games preferred by preschoolers and their executive functions. For a more detailed study we created a classification of the games in question based on the content analysis of the participants’ interview, game mechanism, and the required cognitive functions. 6 types of digital games were developed: quick reaction games, logic games, educational games, strategic games, drawing games, and simulators. The overall sample comprised 335 children (48.6% girls) aged 6–7 (M=74.6 months, SD=6.06 months). The study included assessment of the executive functions and an interview about digital games. We used the NEPSY-II subtests to measure the examinees’ executive functions level: visual and verbal working memory, and inhibition. We also used “The Dimensional Change Card Sort” to assess cognitive flexibility. Data analysis revealed that quick reaction games were the most popular at this age. The next favourite were logic games, strategic games, and simulators’. The study demonstrated quick reaction game players’ visual working memory was better developed than in the non-players. Logic game players processed information at a higher speed than the non-players. Simulation game players obtained higher score in cognitive inhibition, than the children who didn’t like this type of games.

The research is aimed at clarifying and comparing the influence of role play and project-based learning on the development of social competence in older preschoolers. The paper presents the materials of the pilot phase of the study. 30 preschoolers aged 5-6 years (average age 5.8 years) participated in the experiment. At the pre-test children’s executive functions were assessed using NEPSY-II subtests and ther social competence was assessed using the SCBE-30 test, which includes the scales "Social Competence", "Anxiety-detachment", "Anger-aggression". Further, the participants were distributed to three experimental conditions so that in each group there were an equal number of preschoolers with low and high levels of executive functions according to cluster analysis. In each group 12 meetings were held in accordance with the developed programs: Free play, Research project, Creative project. After completing the programs children's social competence was tested similar to the initial diagnostics. The results showed that preschoolers with a low level of executive functions had a stronger decrease in social anxiety in a free role play than in the project activities. At the same time, children with a high level of executive functions showed a greater decrease of the social anxiety when participating in a research project. Role play and project-based learning equally influenced the development of social competence. The results clarify and expand the possibilities of using the described activities for the social competence development in kindergartens.

Introduction. The search for technologies to provide the harmonious development of preschoolers through the enrichment of children’s activities inherent in this age period is an urgent task for the modern education system. Recently, along with traditional forms of education, front-line work and free play, project-based learning has become widespread in kindergartens. To clarify the fundamental features of project-based learning and its developmental effects, a review of empirical studies on this topic was conducted. The purpose of the article is to present the results of the review and identify the main trends, limitations and prospects of studying the project-based learning impact on the psychological development of preschoolers. Materials and Methods. The literature review was conducted using the PRISMA. As a result of the search, 789 Russian-language publications and 687 English-language publications corresponding to the search query were found. As a result of screening and selection, 18 studies were included in further qualitative analysis. For the qualitative analysis a validated checklist of questions was used to assess the methodological level of quality of randomized and non-randomized studies (max. score 26). Results. 7 out of 18 studies satisfied less than half of the items on the checklist and scored less than 13 points, which indicates insufficient reliability of the results obtained in these works. As the result it was sufficiently reliably shown that the use of project approach in preschool age can positively affect the development of social and research skills, cognitive abilities, creative abilities and speech. Discussion and Conclusion. The review showed main trends in the field of studying the developmental effects of project-based learning, reflecting possible research directions in this area. The most promising perspectives for further research are connected with the comparison of the project approach with other forms and methods of education, which can contribute to determining the specifics of different educational methods and determining the conditions for their most effective use. The materials of the article would be useful for planning research in the field of child development, as well as for organizing project-based learning in educational institutions.

Background. Recent data indicate an increase in speech difficulties and a decline in narrative competence among today’s preschool children. Therefore, identifying effective methods to support the development of narrative competence is a pressing and relevant challenge. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using PlayWorld interventions in fostering narrative competence in preschool children. Design. The study involved 90 children aged 5–6 years and compared: (1) PlayWorld—a form of joint child-adult pretend play based on a fairy tale plot, (2) free pretend play, and (3) a control group. The research employed a randomised controlled trial design. Children’s narratives were assessed using the “MAIN: Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives”, focusing on word count, speech rate, and both macrostructure (semantic level) and microstructure (lexical-grammatical level) of narrative production. Results. The results revealed that children receiving PlayWorld interventions significantly improved their macro- and microstructure of narratives, whereas in free pretend play children improved only the macrostructure of narratives. Children in the control group showed significant decline of scores for the macrostructure of narratives. Conclusion. The findings revealed that PlayWorld interventios are an effective approach for developing narrative competence. The use of cultural texts and adult involvement in pretend play are important complementary factors that enhance the developmental impact of pretend play. The findings contribute to a more precise understanding of how pretend play supports narrative development and may have both theoretical and practical implications for future research and educational practice.