This thesis presents popularity of play and toys in pre-school period, influence of important factors on a play and selection of toys and differences in duration of the play, depending on children's age and gender.
In the theoretical part we defined children's play and its importance, also we detaily described development of children's play and presented the meaning of toys. We classified toys according to the basic function and according to adequacy of toys for certain age group. We focused on the characteristics of a good toy and the importance of the proper amount of toys. Featured are the factors that significant impact on a play and a selection of toys, such as gender, age of the child and the family environment. Structuring, we are also attached on impact of media and fashion trends, which led to the introduction of stereotypical toys in children's play. We were describing the role of adults, parents and educators in a child's play.
In the empirical part, we conducted a quantitative research with elements of qualitative analysis. In the study were involved 40 preschool children, 20 3–4 years old and 20 5–6 years old, namely 20 boys and 20 girls. By observation, we found out, that the popularity of toys in the kindergarten environment and the duration of a play vary depending on age and gender. By interview, we found out, that the popularity of toys cartoon heroes interdependent depending on the age of the child.
In the context of research, we noted, that young children between two offered toys mostly choose toys for imaginative play (family-home), while older children choose equally the most popular toy for motion game (train tracks) and for imaginative game. We also noted, that a didactic toy is more popular with younger than with older children. We investigated the popularity of stereotypical toys, and we found out, that among children there are stereotypes, since more girls than boys prejudice to the stereotypical toy for girls, and more boys than girls to stereotypical toy for boys.
We studied the duration of a play and came to the conclusion that older children play longer than younger children, also girls play longer than with boys. In addition to the popularity of toys in the kindergarten environment, we investigated the popularity of toys at home, which we were interested in the popularity of toy figures cartoon heroes. We found out, that both, young and older children favourites such toys, but they are more likeable older children.
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