THEORETICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF CIVIC VALUES IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Abstract

The author represents a theoretical analysis of civic values in primary school, on the basis of which the content, purpose, and objectives of civic education have been considered. The essence of constituent notions such as “valueˮ, “civic valuesˮ, and “citizenshipˮ has been analyzed, as well as the basic civic values such as solidarity, responsibility, respect, obedience, justice, equality, and cooperation have been under consideration. The role and influence of civic values on the formation of the personality of a junior student have been defined in the article. It has been emphasized that it is important to create conditions for the formation of a citizen, for whom a democratic civil society is a center for the realization of creative opportunities, meeting personal and social interests, and the upbringing of Ukrainian citizen as an educated, creative personality who organically combines high moral traits, civic maturity, patriotism, professional competency, and the need for self-improvement. It has been proved that modern primary school students should be psychologically and practically ready for social responsibility for the country’s fate, the independence of behavior within moral and legal norms. It has been clarified in the article that civic values are an integral result of a student’s civic development in an educational process and a complex formation combining four components: civic knowledge, civic feelings, civic qualities, and active civic behavior. It has been pointed out that the success of civic values development largely depends on civic orientation, and worldview, which is manifested in spiritual and social needs, motives of behavior, psychological attitudes, interests, ideals, etc. Keywords: primary school; primary school students; citizenship; value; civic values; civic education; civil society; patriotism.