Popular children’s cartoons in the minds of modern 6-7-year-old preschoolers and their parents

Statement of the problem. The article actualizes the problem of studying cartoon preferences among modern preschool children. It is noted that the child’s living space is currently changing, from an early age it includes screen culture (Internet, computer games, television, cartoons). Tus, a preschooler devotes most of their free time to watching cartoons that cannot but affect their development. The importance is shown of studying the ideas of modern parents about children’s cartoon preferences, since it is parents who determine the content of the modern cartoon industry for their child. The purpose of the article is to identify and characterize the cartoon preferences of 6-7-year-old children, as well as the peculiarities of parents’ ideas about children’s cartoon preferences. The methodology of the study consists of provisions of scientific theories by L.S. Vygotsky, L.F. Obukhova, considering the patterns of mental development of a child; the works by S. Moscovici, D. Zhodele, revealing the nature of human social representations; modern Russian and foreign studies on the role of cartoons in the development of a child: E.O. Smirnova, M.V. Sokolova, N.Yu. Matushkina, M.V. Korepanova, O.V. Kunichenko, I.V. Gundorovoy, K. Habib, T. Soliman, R. Huesmann, J.S. Kirsh, H. Klein etc. Research methods include a survey (conversation with children, questioning of parents), content analysis of the responses received. Research results. In the course of the study: it was determined which cartoons modern preschoolers prefer to watch (plot features, emotional characteristics of the characters and the main character are highlighted); parents’ ideas about children’s cartoon preferences were studied (which cartoons children like, what attracts them to the plot, the main character). The results obtained allow us to conclude that parents’ ideas about children’s cartoon preferences do not correspond to reality, the characters and images of cartoon characters are perceived differently by children and their parents. Conclusion. The study reflects, among other things, the nature of the relationship of a modern child and their parents: the watched cartoons are not discussed with a child, therefore, the developing and educational potential of the cartoon, laid down by the creators, is lost. The authors show the need to educate parents about the possibilities of using cartoon viewing as a way of organizing family leisure, joint activities with a child, as well as a means of child development and upbringing.