Development of moral and ethical qualities of primary schoolchildren through a reflective environment (through the example of mathematics and music lessons)

Abstract

Introduction. The development of pedagogical science requires the introduction of new technologies, forms, and methods of influencing children’s microcommunity. At the present stage of social development, the need for moral and ethical education of the younger generation increasingly arises as the assimilation of external requirements for behavior in accordance with their own convictions, which are actively developing in primary school age. In this regard, it is relevant to study the possibilities of using the reflective environment in multidirectional mathematics and music lessons. The purpose of the study was to study the development of moral and ethical qualities as a result of the organization of a reflective environment at mathematics and music lessons for children of primary school age. Materials and methods. The experimental study was conducted from September 2016 to May 2020. The study was conducted in the Municipal Educational Institution “General Secondary School No. 22” and the Municipal Budgetary General Education Institution “General Secondary School No. 28” in Orekhovo-Zuevo, Moscow Region. Two hundred and twelve schoolchildren studying at these schools took part in the study. The χ2-Pearson statistical test was used for statistical processing. Results. The results obtained during the ascertaining stage of the experiment made it possible to identify and characterize a number of shortcomings in the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components of the moral and ethical development of primary schoolchildren. In accordance with the need to develop moral and ethical qualities, an appropriate reflective environment was organized in the experimental classes of both schools. The development of moral and ethical qualities of primary schoolchildren through the reflective environment was successful, which is confirmed by statistically significant differences at the control stage of the experiment (χ2 = 42.27>χ20.05). Discussion of results and conclusion. The need for the formation of reflexive abilities in primary school age necessitates the creation of a special environment, the use of effective author’s techniques. It is advisable to include the use of reflective practice-oriented situations in the structure of mathematics and music lessons.