Development of Natural Science Education in Elementary School in the History of Pedagogical Thought of Ukraine

A key goal of modern elementary education is to ensure comprehensive development of personality by means of studying subjects. Quality learning of natural science education content is of particular importance for children of elementary school age. This is due to natural science knowledge being acquired during elementary school education which is the basis for studying natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, geography) in middle and high school grades. At the same time, it is very important to shape in students, from initial school years, a system of nature knowledge and skills, personal and value orientations, necessary for their world perception and civilized interaction with the natural environment. The proof has been provided in the article that the foundations of a person's worldview are laid in the childhood of elementary school period, therefore familiarizing children with nature and nurturing responsible attitude towards it at this age is of great importance and is an integral component of the educational process in elementary school. A thoughtful reflection, an objective assessment of the significant theoretical and practical achievements of domestic pedagogical science of the past years is one of the ways to solve the task of ensuring the quality learning of the elementary science education content by students. Turning to the educational and upbringing experience of pedagogy of the second half of the 19th and 20th centuries, when there was active development of progressive educational ideas related to didactics and methods of teaching natural science at school, is especially valuable in this context. The article has revealed the relevant problem of the development of natural science education methods in its historical formation and in the context of modern learning theories. Theoretical and methodological principles and practice of introducing natural science in elementary school have been highlighted. The advantages and disadvantages of school natural science education have been outlined based on the analysis of historical experience. The analysis of historical and pedagogical literature has showed that the gradual development of natural science education in the research period was based on and was carried out due to the views, initiatives, enlightening activities of prominent natural scientists, teachers-methodists, changes in its content, forms and methods of learning.