Investigating The Role of Traditional Children's Games in Teaching Ten Universal Values in Turkey

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Children are constantly stimulated in differentdevelopmental areas through playing games with other children or adults.Play can provide a context wherein children achieve deep learningthrough the integration of intellectual, physical, moral, and spiritualvalues and commit themselves to learning, developing, and growing.While playing games, children learn a wide range of social skills. Inaddition to being contexts in which most learning related to children’slives occurs, games also provide children with contexts to learn about theirown cultures and cultural values. Whereas values may show culturaldifferences, they can also be shared universally. Examining the role ofchildren's games played in Turkey is significant in teaching universalvalues (achievement, benevolence, conformity, hedonism, power, security,self–direction, stimulation, tradition, and universalism).Purpose of the Study: This study was designed to determine the roles oftraditional children's games played in Turkey in teaching ten universalvalues.Method: This study was designed as a qualitative study based on contentanalysis using a deductive analysis method. Pre-defined categories wereidentified, and these categories were identified in the texts describing thegames. The present study’s evaluation includes 421 games found amongthe traditional games played in Turkey and analysed in previous scientificstudies.Findings: The analysis revealed that all games included the value ofHedonism. Almost all games emphasized achievement as well in the formof achieving pre-defined competitive tasks masterly before rival(s) could achieve them. In third place, the value of power was emphasized in thegames, and this value always occurred along with achievement.According to the analysis, power was related to the winner's earning theright to seize the belongings of others or impose a sanction to the loser(s)after success in the game. The remaining seven values (benevolence,conformity, security, self-direction, stimulation, tradition anduniversalism) were almost never emphasized in the games.Conclusion and Recommendations: Traditional children's games at presentseem to be a missed opportunity in terms of values education. Games thatencourage children to acquire more positive values should be designed.