FORMATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETENCE BY MEANS OF THE ECOLOGICAL TRAIL

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of the ecological path organization as an effective means of younger schoolchildren's ecological competence formation. The content and structure of the pupils' environmental competence are characterized in accordance with the State Standard of General Primary Education. The essence of environmental competence of primary school pupils is revealed as the ability to apply environmental knowledge and effectively solve environmental issues they face in everyday life. The following components are distinguished in the structure of ecological competence: ecological knowledge and skills, ecological thinking, value orientations, and ecologically justifiable behavior. It is emphasized that the effective formation of younger schoolchildren's environmental competence is facilitated by means of nature itself, one of which is an ecological trail. Its purpose is to ensure the education of ecologically competent behavior of the child in the surrounding natural environment and to spread knowledge about nature and man as an integral part of the environment. The purpose, tasks, functions, and role of the educational ecological path in the education of ecologically competent behavior of the child in the environment are determined, and a brief description of the route of the ecological trail is presented. The potential of the means of the ecological path in the formation of ecological competence of children of primary school age has been analyzed. Attention is focused on the aesthetic value of the eco-path, which consists in activating the aesthetic feelings and experiences of younger schoolchildren while observing natural objects. It was found that the most productive direction of work on the ecological path is a practical excursion, the main types of activities of which are working out practical work, observation, project, research, sports and recreation, and game and creative activities.