DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE ABILITIES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MATHEMATICS LESSONS

Abstract

The article aims to provide a theoretical substantiation and practical insight into the process of developing creative abilities of primary school students in mathematics lessons in the context of modern requirements for organizing the educational process. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to form in younger students the ability for non-standard thinking, independent problem-solving, and creative application of knowledge in learning activities. Creative abilities are considered as a complex psychological and pedagogical phenomenon that integrates cognitive, emotional, and motivational components of a student’s personality. The essence of the concept of “creative abilities” is clarified, and their content and main characteristics in the context of teaching mathematics in primary school are analyzed. The research methodology is based on the analysis of scientific sources on the problem of developing creative abilities of primary school students, the study of modern pedagogical approaches to their formation, as well as the identification of effective methods and techniques for organizing educational activities aimed at activating creative cognitive processes of younger students. Within the framework of the study, a program of a pedagogical experiment was developed, and its ascertaining, formative, and control stages were carried out. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the development and testing of an experimental program for the development of creative abilities of primary school students in mathematics lessons, the clarification of criteria and levels of their formation, and the substantiation of effective methods for activating creative activity of younger students. The criteria for assessing the level of development of students’ creative abilities (cognitive, emotional, and motivational) are identified, and three levels of their formation are defined: low, medium, and high. The results of the experimental study demonstrated positive dynamics in the development of creative abilities of primary school students and confirmed the effectiveness of the implemented program “Growing Creatively”. The conclusions outline prospects for further research related to the introduction of innovative technologies into the process of developing creative abilities of younger students.