Abstract :
Games and toys are in the center of children’s lives. In other words, games and toys are inseparable from children. Games and toys are as old as humanity and they functioned as common tongues between different cultures. The main aim of this research is to emphasize the historical adventure, universality and currency of games and toys. Through this purpose, the current status of games and toys in the painting “Children’s Games”, which was made in 1560 in Europe and which gives an insight into the lives of children, was investigated in this research. The list and definitions of games and toys from this work of art are shown in the first part of the study, In the second part, the current status of the games and toys in question are analyzed. The game observation form created for the study was applied on 100 preschool teachers who worked with children from different socio-economic levels in two cities (Bursa-Istanbul) of Turkey. Categorical Data Analysis (Chi-Square) was used in the analysis of data. The results of the study emphasize the historical background and universality of games and toys and their place in intercultural communication. It was determined that games like hide and seek, blind man s bluff, telephone are still played by children in preschool period in our country and games without toys that are played only with body are about to be forgotten.
