The article presents the methodological basis and theoretical substantiation of the possibility of using training as a means of work aimed at the development of dialectical thinking of preschool age children.
The method of training of dialectical thinking is based on the methodology of structural-dialectical approach by N.E. Veraksa, general principles of correctional- developing work and requirements to training as a method. The special conditions defined by the specificity of dialectical actions as an object of influence are as follows.
1. Inclusion of conflict situations in different types of children’s activities.
2. Children’s understanding of the following terms reflecting dialectical relations and transformations: “opposite”, “middle”, “series”, “transformation”, “union” and “back”.
3. Matching of children’s understanding of such dialectical thinking actions as transformation, serialization, mediation, treatment, unification to their complexity.
4. Formation of dialectical thinking actions according to the theory by P.Y. Galperin of gradual formation of mental actions
5. Application of dialectical schemes that allow to fix opposites and relations between them, as well as dialectical transformations. Thirty-six children aged 6-7 participated in the cohort study. “What can happen at the same time?” and “Unusual tree” methods by N.E. Veraksa were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.
The results of the testing of the training demonstrate its effectiveness. The indicators of dialectical thinking of children participating in the training increased. Differences in the indicators at the stating and control stages according to U - Mann Whitney’s criterion in the cohort are not significant: the empirical value = 145.5, in experimental group it is significant: the empirical value = 87; U criteria = 109, p≤0.05.
The developed methodology can be applied in the development work of teachers and psychologists and preschool teachers.