Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study Thai folk toys for Enhancing art development of children 6-12 years old. This study used the integrated research technique and samples selected by the following specification methods : 1) 365 Thai folk toys from four regions in four provinces. 2) Selected by 16 Thai folk toy Specialists. The research data was collected by using The folk toys data form and The folk toys analysis form.
The study was divided into two parts. 1) The folk toy specification revealed most of the folk toys were discovered in the northern of the country, the most shape was founded in a round-relief geometric shape which was decorated by the replication of the natural environment and using natural materials and colors on the smooth solid surface. Due to the characteristics of the materials used in the invention. The structure materials mainly made from wood, bamboo, coconut shell, parts of the banana stem and local vegetation such as flowers, seeds, etc. The synthetic materials were relatively low-used. Most of the patterns were the natural texture of the materials. Many children can play The folk toys at the same time which depends on the playing methods. These folk toys were created for children by their adults, the strategies of the playing can be classified into 18 categories which the major category were founded in sound toys. In addition, the traditional toys mainly bring the cultural beliefs, the traditional knowledge and the touch of natures to the children, also bring the traditional lifestyles which were different in each district. 2) Folk toys can enhance a childrens art development of 6-12 years old. The framework is based on seven developments; Physical development, Emotional development, Social development, Cognitive Development, Creativity development, Perceptional development, and Aesthetics Development. The result reveled the Folk toys can higher enhance in emotional development, lower in the development of physical, the development of social, and the development of creative. For the cognitive development, the perception development, and the aesthetics development were the lowest development.
The Recommendation from this study was using the Thai folk toys in children educational institutions by choosing the Thai folk toys from each area for learning in materials which were appropriate to enhance the childrens art development.