The relationship between the frequency of use of electronic gadgets, inclusion in game interaction and creativity among preschoolers

Objectives. The study of the relationship between the frequency of use of electronic gadgets, the level of involvement in the interaction in the game and creativity among preschoolers, as well as the identification of gender specificity in the severity of the studied phenomena. Background. In connection with the active inclusion in the life of a modern person of technical means and digital technologies, the sociocultural situation of the development of the child and the process of his socialization have substantially changed. This, of course, leads to changes in the mental and personal development of children, therefore, it is very important to study the psychological characteristics of the modern child and their relationship with new characteristics of the situation of the development. Study design. The study examined the level of creativity of preschoolers, the frequency of their use of electronic gadgets and the level of their involvement in game interaction. The presence of a relationship between these parameters was established by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient. Participants. 48 children aged 6—7 years: 24 boys and 24 girls, as well as their parents (48 people). Measurements. The method “Map for observing a spontaneous role-playing game” — a modification of the method “Normative development maps” (authors: Korotkova N.A. and Nezhnov P.G.); author’s questionnaire for parents “Interaction of children with electronic gadgets”; the Torrance Creativity Test. Results. An inverse relationship has been established between the frequency of use of electronic gadgets and the level of involvement in game interaction among preschoolers. A direct relationship between the level of creativity of the child and his level of involvement in the interaction in the game is revealed. The gender specificity in the severity of the studied phenomena is described. Conclusions. There is a correlation between the frequency of use of gadgets, inclusion in interaction in the game, and creativity among preschoolers. There is a gender specificity in the manifestation of the studied phenomena.