The essence and functions of the game in preschool education

Abstract. The article describes various approaches to determining the essence of the game and its meaning at the stage of preschool childhood. Clarification of the semantic field of the concept of “game” is based on the analysis of the views of famous educationalists of the past, as well as on the results of modern researches. The main functions of the game in the education are highlighted. The author points to the substitution of different meanings of the term “game” in the practice of preschool education. A critical position is indicated regarding the insufficiency of conditions created in preschool educational organizations for the development of independent children’s play.

Keywords: game, children’s game, leading activity, nature of the game, game functions, preschool education.