METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE METHODOLOGICAL PREPARATION OF FUTURE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 4K SKILLS IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE AND READING METHODOLOGY

Аннотация

This article explores effective methods for enhancing the methodological training of future primary school teachers to foster the development of 4K skills—critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration—within the teaching of native language and reading. As education systems worldwide shift toward competency-based learning, equipping teacher candidates with pedagogical tools to integrate 4K into early literacy instruction becomes essential. The paper outlines the theoretical foundation of 4K education, examines didactic strategies, and presents practical activities for primary literacy classes. It also offers a model of interdisciplinary integration that enables future teachers to create dynamic, student-centered environments that promote21st-century skillsthrough nativelanguage learning. Kеywоrds:4K skills, primary education, native language, reading instruction, methodological preparation, critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, teacher training. INTRОDUСTIОN The rapid evolution of education in the 21st century calls for a shift from traditional content-centered instruction to skill-based, competency-oriented approaches. Among the most emphasized competencies are the so-called 4K skills—Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. These skills are especially crucial in early education, where foundational literacy andcognitivehabits are formed. For future primary school teachers, the challenge lies not only in mastering these competencies themselves but in learning how to teach them effectively through the subject of native language and reading. Reading is not only about decoding words but also about developing comprehension, interpretation, and reflective thinking—all of which align with 4K development. This article focuses on methods to improve the methodological preparation of teacher candidates so that they can integrate 4K skill development into their native language instruction inprimary classrooms. MАTЕRIАLS АNDMЕTHОDS The 4Kframework aligns closely with modern literacy goals: Critical Thinking in reading enables learners to question texts, analyze meaning, and evaluate perspectives. Creativity allows students to express ideas through writing, storytelling, and interpreting textsin diverse ways. Communication is developed through oral reading, discussions, and sharing interpretations. Collaboration occurs ingroup reading activities, literaturecircles, andpeer-based projects. Teacher education programs must reflect this alignment by embedding 4K-related competencies intosubject-specific methodology courses [1]. RЕSULTSАNDDISСUSSIОN page90 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue04,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai Someofthemajorobstacles include: Over-reliance ontraditional, rote-based literacy instruction Lack ofexposureto active, student-centered methodologies Limited practice in designing integrated language-skills activities Fragmentation between content knowledge and pedagogy inteacher education curricula These challenges necessitate a systematic rethinking of how future teachers are trained in reading instruction. To address theseissues, the followingapproaches are proposed: Case-based Learning Future teachers analyze real or simulated classroom situations involving reading tasks and4Kobjectives. This fosters decision-making and reflectivepractice [2]. Micro-teaching Sessions Teacher candidates practice conducting mini-lessons with 4K components and receive peerand mentorfeedback. Project-based Learning Future teachers design interdisciplinary reading projects (e.g., story creation, class newspapers, book-based inquiry tasks)that require collaboration andcreativity. Methodology Workshops Interactive workshops on reading strategies (e.g., guided reading, reciprocal teaching) are linkedwith communication and critical thinking outcomes. Reflective Portfolios Students maintain portfolios of their lesson plans, reading activities, and reflective analysis ofhow4Kelements were implemented orcould beimproved. Model for Integrating 4KSkills into Reading Methodology Courses [3] 4KSkill ExampleActivity in Reading Instruction Methodological Approach Critical Compare characters’ decisions in a story; Guided questioning, Thinking justifypersonal interpretations Socratic dialogue Creativity Rewritethestory ending; illustratescenes Creative writing, visual expression Communication Read aloud with peer discussion; role-play Pairwork, literaturecircles dialogue from the text Collaboration Group storytelling orbook-based projects Cooperative learning, project work This model provides a basis for constructing lessons where reading serves not only as a literacy tool but as a platform forskilldevelopment. Future teachers should also be trained in interdisciplinary methods, where reading is linkedwith science, art, orsocial studies. For exa