“4Cs” COMPETENCES OF THE 21st CENTURY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE STATE STANDARDS OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION OF THE RA

Abstract

In an era of chaotic changes and unpredictable crises, society needs individuals who can navigate real-life situations and make decisions. The competency-based approach in preschool education provides preschoolers’ individual potential development in the formation of 21st-century competences, which will teach a child from an early age to act independently in various problem-based situations.

The key competences of the 21^st century are not only knowledge and skills, but also a value-based attitude towards the world and personal qualities that help individuals successfully realize themselves in the context of teamwork and cooperation. Within the framework of the 21^st century key competences, countries adapt universal skills to the specific goals of their national education systems.

The analysis of competences presented in the State Standard of Preschool Education of the Republic of Armenia will allow us to identify their correspondence to the basic competences of the generally accepted “4Cs” model, to define the strengths and weaknesses of the state standard and to formulate a matrix for the holistic development of a future citizen of Armenian society—a personal vision of the “educated person”.

Preschool education implies: 

• to explore the surrounding environment independently and perceive the world holistically,
• to communicate and respond adequately, empathize, forgive, and live in harmony with others,
• to control own behavior and form identity,
• to think creatively, discover new things through the search for non-standard, alternative solutions,
• to value national culture and embrace universal human values,
• to feel a sense of belonging to one’s nation and country.