SIMPLE EXPERIMENTS AS A MEANS OF FORMING THE COGNITIVE ACTIVITY OF MIDDLE PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

Introduction. The problem of forming the cognitive activity of children of middle preschool age is relevant in modern Ukrainian society, which, more than ever, needs a creative, active, initiative, harmoniously developed, imaginative, responsible, independent personality. One of the effective methods of forming the cognitive activity of children of middle preschool age is simple experiments in preschool education. Purpose – to theoretically characterize the specifics of the formation of cognitive activity of children of middle preschool age by means of simple experiments. Methods: theoretical (analysis of psychological and pedagogical, philosophical, scientific and methodological literature to determine the specifics of cognitive activity of children of middle preschool age); comparison, systematization, description of the content and organizational forms and methods of organizing simple experiments in preschool education; comparison of research results in order to reveal the features of the phenomenon under study. Results. Organizing simple experiments for middle preschool children makes it possible to implement unique steps in the preschool child’s understanding of the world in STEAM education and to form cognitive activity: we create an emotional image of an object using painting, music, dance, literature; we complement and compare impressions from objects of living and inanimate nature, we activate the child’s own experience during experiments and experiments with plants and objects of inanimate nature; we move from an emotional image of an object of nature to a scientific one, which involves mastering the goals of sustainable development and their understanding at the level of preschool childhood. Originality. The research materials can be used in the activities of preschool educators, as well as during their professional training, scientific and pedagogical training of masters. Also during the teaching of professional disciplines, the organization of pedagogical practice, scientific and research work, research group work, in the system of advanced training of pedagogical workers for self-improvement and personal growth through the formation and development of cognitive activity of children of middle preschool age by means of simple experiments. Conclusions. Simple ones are an important condition for the formation of cognitive activity in children of middle preschool age and activate the processes of cognitive interest in children. Simple experiments as a means of forming cognitive activity in the context of sustainable development ideas are possible if certain requirements are met.