Modern folk doll: We research, make, play

Abstract

The article examines the problem of familiarizing modern students with the Ukrainian folk doll. The main stages of the historical development of the rag Ukrainian folk doll, its varieties (ritual, amulet, game, author’s artistic dolls, souvenir industrial dolls), functional meaning (amulet, ritual-magical, protective, cleansing and game functions) and manufacturing  this doll in various ways (knotted, twisted, wound, sewn dolls) are briefly outlined. A special doll, which is made by winding fabric, is called a “motanka”. The motanka doll is considered as a Ukrainian cultural symbol, a powerful household talisman, a ritual attribute, fun for children and adults, an original souvenir and decoration of the interior of the home.

The purpose of the article is to describe the process of familiarizing modern students with the Ukrainian folk doll through its perception, studying folk traditions and characteristic features of the Ukrainian folk doll of different regions of Ukraine, its varieties and functions, through the production of a modern folk doll and role-playing.

The stages of working with students in the conditions of group work in institutions of general secondary and out-of-school education are revealed. At the preparatory stage, students are acquainted with interesting information, discuss it and update their own life and artistic experience (conversations, riddles, discussions) regarding folk traditions, play games in pair. It is useful for the formation of manual skills as well as for development of fine motor skills of hands and tactile sensation. At the executive stage, using step-by-step verbal and visual instructions, students make a modern folk doll. At the final stage, students role-play with their peers.

A description of the production of modern folk dolls (“Bunny on a Finger” and “Vesnianka”) is presented in the format of a master class with step-by-step verbal and visual instructions, which will be of interest to teachers of hobby studios of both institutions of general secondary education and out-of-school education.