The relevance of the article’s topic. In modern education, more and more attention is paid to meta-subject results, such as well-being, socio-emotional development, agency (independence and initiative), etc. The article discusses the growing importance of one of these meta-subject results of preschool education - children’s independence, provides examples of changes in international discourse, recognition of the importance of well-being, social-emotional skills, autonomy and agency (independence and initiative). In addition, modern studies of environmental factors (family and educational conditions) of the formation of independence are described. The problem of the uncertainty of the terms used and the need for their further definition is posed.
The aim of the study was to identify and describe the practices of developing independence in preschool educational institutions in Moscow and Krasnoyarsk and to describe the image of independence that is realized in these practices.
Description of the research progress. As part of the work, a qualitative study and 14 thematic interviews with leaders and teachers of preschool educational organizations in two million-plus cities of the Russian Federation were conducted. To develop the interview guide, materials provided by teachers working in line with Montessori ideas were used. The aim of the study was to identify the attitude of teachers to new guidelines for the development of preschool education, as well as their ideas about the possibility of developing the independence of pupils and success in this activity.
The results of the study. The analysis of teachers’ answers showed that independence should be considered in three areas – everyday life, play and productive activity. Manifestations of independence may be different. Independence is associated with the child’s interest in the activities he performs, much attention is paid to the child’s ability to complete t the job he started, which in the broader context of independence seems controversial.
The most difficult for teachers was the description of the practices of developing independence adopted in their kindergarten: teachers either found it difficult to describe them clearly, or, on the contrary, called all children’s activities. It was practically impossible to identify signs of success of pedagogical efforts to develop independence.
Conclusion. The data obtained indicate a general positive attitude to the need for the development of children’s independence, however, they also indicate difficulties in implementing this task. Thus, it was found that teachers see an obstacle in the development of independence in the insecurity of providing preschool children with freedom of action. In addition, it can be argued that the construct “independence” does not have a clear definition, and teachers’ ideas reflect this uncertainty. We have also revealed the absence of recognized, accepted methods of developing independence, teachers find it difficult to evaluate their work, to make judgments about the effectiveness of one or another activity aimed at increasing the level of independence.