Features of Civil Identity Formation among Junior Schoolchildren

At present, the problem of students’ civil identity foundations formation is among the main priorities of education. This article is devoted to the study of the research problem: what are the features of civil identity formation in primary school age. The purpose of this study is to identify the features of civil identity formation in junior schoolchildren. The novelty of the research is presented by clarification of the civil identity concept definition, the features of the civil identity formation through the study of its structure. Practical and theoretical significance of the results is that the definition of civil identity concept is considered as an individual’s awareness of one’s belonging to the community of citizens of a country (awareness of oneself as a Russian), having a significant meaning for the individual, a person’s involvement in the cultural and social life of the country, a sense of involvement in the future, present and past of the Russian nation. The components of civil identity are identified: cognitive, emotional-value and activity. A procedure for diagnosing the civil identity of junior schoolchildren using the conversation method has been developed and tested, which can be used by teachers as a diagnostic tool. The article presents the results of a study of the civil identity of children of primary school age using the conversation method. A diagnostic study has showed that the least developed is the activity component of civil identity, which involves the formation of an active citizenship position, hard work, and willingness to help others and provide assistance in younger schoolchildren. Students are ready to help others and do things for the good of their homeland, but do not have a clear and precise idea of what exactly they can do. Therefore, there is a need to carry out targeted pedagogical work on the formation of the activity component of civil identity through various educational activities and interactive activities that contribute to the children’s ideas formation about who a real citizen of their country is.