A Study into Traditional Child Games Played in Konya Region in Terms of Development Fields of Children

Being a phenomenon as old and universal as human history, game is one of the basic needs of children. Depending on these needs, where is a child, there is a game. Children could combine all their knowledge and skills required for life through games, explain themselves in a very easy way and exhibit their skills. Game, which is the most effective learning process for children, is a real means of education and provides us with carrying the knowledge attained throughout preschool period and school years from one generation to another and support the development of children in physical, cognitive, linguistic and social – emotional aspects. In this perspective, the current study was carried out to evaluate traditional child games which are a part of Turkish culture and about to disappear in terms of development fields of children. The study is a descriptive survey and the data of the research was obtained through personal interviews. The data was collected through “Interview Form for Traditional Child Games”. The population of the study was made up of young people and adults at the ages of 18-88 chosen randomly and living in the town of Ilgin, the city of Konya in the years 2013 and 2014. The data of the research was analysed in descriptive analysis technique which is used as a descriptive research method. At the end of the study, it was found that games contribute to the motor, linguistic, cognitive and social emotional development fields of children and to their self-care to a great extent.