Cognitive-research activity implies the creative activity of the child, which is aimed at studying certain phenomena, establishing the relationship of certain objects in the world, systematizing and organizing the knowledge gained.
Features of research in preschool children
In preschoolers, elements of cognitive activity are included in role-playing games. Many psychologists and teachers in their works indicated the importance of their various types. It is games that help the baby understand the connection of individual details, actions, create a clear idea of a particular object.
The Importance of Research for Preschoolers
As a child grows up, cognitive research activity develops, more complex elements are included in it. Thanks to these processes, the preschooler satisfies his curiosity, expands the stock of knowledge, and changes his own ideas about the world around him.
Such an activity helps a future first-grader to establish causal relationships, navigate in space and time, and combine disparate facts into a single picture.
Functions of cognitive research activities in the DDU
Psychologists identify several basic functions of such work, which are important for the child.
- The development of curiosity among preschoolers (cognitive initiative).
- Assimilation of spatial, classification, temporal relationships by a preschooler.
- The transition from systematizing the information received to the level of practical activity.
- The formation of verbal stock, thinking, attention, analysis skills, conversation.
Cognitive and research activities of children contribute to broadening their horizons, the development of ideas about the social and natural community, the formation of simple historical and geographical knowledge.
Ways to enhance the cognitive activity of preschoolers
Modern Federal requirements for educational, educational, developmental tasks in preschool education require special attention to the formation of initiative in children, independence, cognitive activity.
It is the desire for independent development is considered the main characteristic of the development of a preschooler. The kid should receive important information about the world, people, laws of public life, objects of nature, in a natural way. Cognitive and research activities in the older group are expressed in the focus of thoughts and actions, concentration, the desire to express their opinion, to compare the information received.
How is the activity of preschoolers expressed
Activity is expressed in the ability of the child to independently choose certain types of activities. The teacher or psychologist observes the behavior of the baby during the role play, analyzes the desire to communicate with other children, leadership qualities. Then, the analysis of the information obtained is carried out according to special methods and technological maps, and a conclusion is made about the child’s readiness to study at school.
Varieties of cognitive activity of preschoolers
In modern pedagogy there are several options for such activities. Cognitive and research activities of preschoolers can be manifested in actions according to the model proposed by the teacher. For this option, the mentor offers the kids schemes, algorithms of action. Executive activity consists of the adoption by the baby of a specific task, the selection of options for their actions on the basis of the proposed samples, obtaining a personal result.
Techniques for stimulating the self-development of preschoolers
Cognitive and research activities in the older group are stimulated by a variety of pedagogical techniques. First of all, the educator tries, through imagery, motivation, emotionality, to provide his pupils with an interest in the task assigned to them. A wise mentor pretends that he himself does not know the answer to this question, and only the baby will be able to help him with this, so the joint cognitive-research activity begins. The middle group of kindergarten according to GEF also assumes a variety of types of projects and studies conducted under the direct supervision of the educator. Gradually, the teacher goes to the background, giving children the opportunity to independently obtain the results of the experiment, experience. To stimulate preschoolers as they work, the teacher asks them questions: "What do you think, how will your experiment end?", "What new have you learned at this stage of the work?"
Gradually, the teacher becomes a tutor, he clarifies the algorithm of the child’s actions, helps him make diagrams, drawings. Cognitive-research activity in the older group involves the use of creative imagination techniques. The child learns to present the result of his work. For example, if a preschooler is tasked with growing crystals of salt, he must imagine how they will look. After the experiment is successfully completed, the child compares his initial idea with a real picture, draws conclusions about the similarity, difference of images.
The experience that allowed the kid to accumulate cognitive and research activities in the older group will be his personal result, he will be able to use it when studying at school.
Example of bread research at DOW
We give an example of planning such work in kindergarten. Cognitive research activities should be clearly thought out, distributed by month. For example, in the older group, you can offer the children a topic related to bread. Such a study can be called in different ways: “Where did the bread come from?”, “What is white gold?”, “Why is the loaf covered with mold?”
Depending on the questions posed, a research plan is formed.
In September, cognitive research begins. The older group is looking for information on the composition of the bread. The teacher sets before them the task of installing those components that are needed for baking delicious rolls and loaves. The result of this stage will be a list of ingredients, without which it is impossible to bake bread.
In October, the kids go with their mentor on an excursion to the bakery. They should get acquainted visually with the technology of making rolls and bread, confirm the information that was collected in September about the components of bread.
In November, children receive homework. Together with their parents, they should try themselves in the role of real bakers, master the basic stages of creating delicious white bread.
In December, cognitive research activities are completed. The preparatory group is invited to taste those delicious pies and buns that future first-graders made with their mothers and fathers.
Studying the seasons
An interesting option for research activities in kindergarten can be considered the study of the seasons. The main goal that the teacher sets at the same time is to consolidate and deepen the knowledge that the guys already possess. A similar study can be done in groups. Kids receive their own assignments, a special observation map and magazines to compile the results. For example, you will need to observe a week how the sun shines brightly, how often it rains in the fall, and sketch the results in a journal. The second group will be engaged in temperature control, attracting parents to help. The third part is to figure out how strong the winds were during this time. After the guys complete their observations, a complete picture is made. The result of such an individually-collective project will be a complete description of weather conditions in a particular season. To develop the creative imagination of the kids, the teacher gives them an additional task - to come up with suitable clothes for this time of the year, made of non-traditional materials. The best works can be “embedded in reality” by making a real fashion show at a joint holiday of parents and children.
Food analysis
Another direction for the cognitive activity of preschoolers may be the study of food. This is relevant, because according to new standards, special attention is paid to developing healthy eating habits in future schoolchildren and instilling in them an interest in a healthy lifestyle. For starters, together with the teacher, the guys analyze the composition of different foods, learn about what important chemicals, trace elements, vitamins, must be present in the daily diet of each person. To increase the motivation of beginning researchers, the teacher conducts role-playing games. Children become cooks, confectioners, doctors, to understand how important it is to eat right and in a timely manner. The study can be carried out not only in kindergarten, but also beyond. During walks, the kids offer their teacher active games, together they come up with comic tasks for sports competitions. The result of the work can be sports starts, where mixed teams of children and their parents will be presented. And at the end of the holiday you can organize a "healthy table", which will be attended only by healthy products.
Conclusion
Cognitive activity should begin with the middle group of a kindergarten. With a clear planning of such work, one can count on the development of independence in children.