ECOLOGICAL COMPETENCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS: ESSENCE, STRUCTURE, CRITERIA AND LEVELS

Abstract

The article explores the issue of forming ecological competence in primary school children, highlighting its significance as an essential component of modern education. With growing global environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution of air and water resources, the task of educating environmentally conscious citizens becomes a priority for schools. The formation of ecological competence in young children serves as the foundation for their responsible behavior toward nature and the environment in the future. In the article, ecological competence is defined as an integration of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for solving environmental problems. The relationship between the concepts of «competence» and «competency» in the context of environmental education is also examined. Particular attention is given to the structure of ecological competence, which consists of three components: cognitive, emotional-value, and practical. The cognitive component includes students' knowledge about environmental issues, such as global climate change, deforestation, and pollution. The emotional-value component focuses on shaping a positive attitude toward nature, awareness of the importance of preserving the environment, and the willingness to participate in environmental protection activities. The practical component involves applying knowledge in practice through participation in ecological campaigns, such as waste sorting, tree planting, or cleaning up natural areas. The article provides suggestions for integrating ecological competence into the primary school curriculum. An important aspect is the use of interactive teaching methods, such as project-based learning, ecological campaigns, and role-playing games, which not only enable students to gain knowledge but also allow them to apply it in practice. For instance, school ecological clubs can organize activities to clean local parks or conduct educational campaigns on the importance of conserving water resources. These activities help foster environmentally conscious behavior and encourage students to actively engage in environmental protection. The article also presents examples of successful ecological education practices from various countries, which can be adopted in Ukraine. Notable examples include participating in global environmental projects, collaborating with non-governmental organizations, and taking part in volunteer initiatives aimed at preserving nature. These initiatives provide chuldrens with opportunities to practice responsible environmental behavior and become involved in solving global environmental challenges. Overall, the formation of ecological competence is an integral part of the educational process, aiming to develop environmentally responsible citizens capable of making informed ecological decisions. The article provides recommendations for improving approaches to teaching environmental topics in schools, which will help create a foundation for developing an environmentally oriented mindset in children.