THE FORMATIVE PROCESS OF CHILDREN'S TAG ; AN ANALYSIS OF TAG PLAYED BY THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASSES IN NURSERY SCHOOLS

Abstract

The formative process of tag was discussed by analizing six report written by nersery teachers. The children's ages are from 3 ; 2 to 4 ; 9. The formative process of tag was reconstructed hypothetically by extracting those behaviors which are inadequate in view of the rule of tag. We found the following three developmental stages in tag. Stage 1 : Children don't understand the rule almost at all. They could neither change the aim of behavior nor exchange the role in the play when being touched. Stage 2 : Children recogninize the rule of tag incompletely. They are defensive, for they cry hard in anger at being touched but when they become the tagger they don't try to chase and touch others. Stage 3 : Children understand the rule of the play almost completely. Although they cry when being touched even in this stage, they change the vexation of being caught into the volition for winning in the next round.