Fedorova O. Fairytale as a means for development of creative imagination in blind children of primary school age

The thesis research covers the issues of development, theoretical substantiation and experimental verification of the system for development and correction of creative imagination in blind children of primary school age by the means of fairytales. It contains profound analysis of the scientific studies in general and special psychology and pedagogic covering the named research problem. The importance of imagination in compensating insufficiency in sensual perception of the surrounding world by the visually impaired children of primary school age has been defined. The thesis presents developed integral assessment tool for psychological assessment of reproductive and creative imagination of visually impaired children, based on criteria which are considered to be the most valid for this age. There has been carried out an experimental study of typological features of reproductive and creative imagination in blind and visually impaired children of primary school age. Major directions for psychologist's work on development of creative imagination of blind children of primary school age have been set. The thesis also contains qualitative and quantities results analysis of independent composing of fairytales by blind children at different stages of the experiment. Recommendations for psychologists and educators on using fairytales in their work are also included. Taking into account interdependence between imagination of a visually impaired child and quantity and quality of the concepts they developed, as well as compensatory role played by the language in systemizing sensory experience of the blind, the thesis offers integral teaching system designed to promote development of creative imagination of blind children using verbal creative work, videlicet - composing fairytales.