JOGOS DE PAPÉIS NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL

Abstract

This study investigates the relevance of role-playing games in the context of Early Childhood Education, based on Cultural-Historical Theory and highlighting pedagogical practices that promote children's development and learning. The main objective is to understand how role-playing games can be used in pedagogical practice to enhance children's psychological development. Specific objectives include investigating the key concepts of Cultural-Historical Theory related to playful activity and its pedagogical implications. The research is based on a qualitative bibliographic approach, utilizing classical and contemporary texts that discuss playful activity as fundamental to child development. Results confirm the hypothesis that role-playing games, when pedagogically guided, promote the internalization of cultural practices and the development of higher psychological functions, such as imagination and abstract thinking. The research reveals that, despite the widespread use of games in early childhood education, they are often treated superficially and out of context. Therefore, the study concludes that role-playing games should be recognized as essential tools for the integral formation of children, recommending further investigation into pedagogical strategies and educator training for the effective implementation of these playful practices in school routines.