INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOLCHILDREN DURING THE SUMMER RECREATION PERIOD

Abstract

Conceptually, the article is based on the premise that one of the key objectives of the New Ukrainian School is the formation of a holistic, well-rounded personality capable of critical thinking. Drawing on modern conceptions of physical and intellectual development, the article presents the results of a study examining ways to integrate these two aspects of schoolchildren’s growth during the summer recreation and health improvement period. The issue of physical and intellectual development of schoolchildren is among the most relevant at the current stage of psychological and pedagogical science. Its relevance is determined, on the one hand, by the reform of general secondary education, and on the other, by the uniqueness of the school-age period. Consequently, there arises the need to identify effective means for the comprehensive development of schoolchildren during this period, including the integration of physical and intellectual components.The proposed study employs a number of methods that focus on shaping awareness, behavior, and motivation for activity, ensuring the integration of physical and intellectual development. These methods are divided into three groups depending on which component is primary in a given approach.The first group includes methods based on the assumption that physical development contributes to intellectual growth.The second group comprises methods that ensure the influence of intellectual development on physical activity.The third group consists of methods that provide for the integrated development of both physical and intellectual abilities.The distinctive feature of the summer recreation period lies in the fact that educational work with pupils is primarily based on their interests. This condition determined the focus of the experimental part of the study – examining the dynamics of pupils’ interest in combining physical and intellectual development. The study revealed that after completing the camp session, there was a statistically significant positive shift in schoolchildren’s attitudes toward integrating physical and intellectual activities, indicating an increased interest in such integration. To verify the reliability of the results, the sign G-test was used.