РОЗВИТОК ФІЗИЧНИХ ЯКОСТЕЙ У ДІТЕЙ СТАРШОГО ДОШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ ЗАСОБАМИ УКРАЇНСЬКИХ НАРОДНИХ РУХЛИВИХ ІГОР

Abstract. The article is devoted to the issue of developing older preschool children’s physical qualities by means of Ukrainian folk movement games. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to identify effective, natural, and culturally oriented means of physical education for children aged 5–6, which ensure not only harmonious physical development but also the formation of national identity, moral values, and a positive attitude toward physical activity. In modern conditions of decreasing physical activity of preschoolers, Ukrainian folk movement games serve as a unique tool that combines health-preserving, educational, and patriotic significance. The aim of the article is to study the developing older preschool children’s physical qualities by means of Ukrainian folk movement games, as well as to substantiate the effectiveness of their use in the educational process of preschool education institutions. Research methods: a theoretical analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature, a pedagogical experiment (ascertaining, formative, and control stages), control testing, and methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The article presents the results of a pedagogical experiment aimed at determining the impact of systematic use of Ukrainian folk movement games on the development of older preschool children’s physical qualities. It has been found that the use of Ukrainian folk movement games such as "Peretyahny bulavu" (Pull the Mace), "Kozaky i tatary" (Cossacks and Tatars), "Lantsyuh" (Chain), "Horiu, horiu, penʹ", "U lisi vedmidʹ" (A Bear in the Forest), "Podolianochka", "Perepilka" and "Kozaky" significantly improves indicators of speed, coordination, strength, and endurance. Children in the experimental group demonstrated notable positive changes compared to those in the control group, confirming the effectiveness of the chosen methods. Comparative analysis of the control testing results has showed statistically significant improvement in majority of physical qualities indicators in the experimental group, whereas the control group demonstrated less pronounced progress. Moreover, the use of Ukrainian folk movement games positively influenced children’s emotional state, communication skills, teamwork abilities, and adherence to rules. Conclusions. Thus, Ukrainian folk movement games are an effective means of developing older preschool children’s physical qualities, as they meet their age-specific needs, promote overall harmonious development, ensure motor activity, and simultaneously preserve cultural traditions of the Ukrainian people. The results may be used by preschool teachers, physical education instructors, and methodologists to enhance physical education classes, sports events and activities, as well as to integrate ethnic cultural components into the modern educational process of preschool institutions