Turtogtokh

Using the Ancient National Game shagaa to Support Language Development of Young Children in Mongolia: An Action Research Study

Batkhuyag Turtogtokh, Mongolian National University of Education, Mongolia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is present research in progress within three phases for investigation of the use of the national ancient game of shagaa for language development of young children in Mongolia. The first phase identifies research-based developmental age characteristics of early childhood, specifically the domain of language development and kindergarten usage of the game for supporting that development. The second phase describes data collection that includes a review of literature, organized observations of children’s play with shagaa, and semi-structured interviews with teachers concerning influences affecting children’s language development. The final phase reports analyzing the data for the purpose of developing a methodology for playing the game using four aspects of language development; phonology, semantics, grammar and pragmatics. This research can provide valuable information for the Mongolian kindergarten classroom to influence the use of shagaa in support of early childhood language development.

Keywords: national game shagaa, young children, language development, methodology.