The Use of Elements of Kyrgyz Folk Heritage in the Formation of Senior Preschool Children’s Representations of the Elementary Mathematical Concept of Time

The article highlights the significance of mathematics in the upbringing and education of children. It emphasizes that the importance of educational content in the process of mathematical training is reflected in the theoretical developments of foreign scholars. Additionally, a brief overview of the works by Kyrgyz scientists of the 21st century, dedicated to preschool education, is provided. Currently, issues related to the preservation of national traditions are актуальными, which is why President S. Japarov signed the Decree “On the Approval of the National Program for the Preservation and Development of National Values for 2022–2027.” In accordance with this Decree, the relevance of this article is justified. Research objectives: To utilize elements of Kyrgyz folk heritage in forming preschool children’s understanding of elementary concepts of time. To develop children's perceptions of concepts such as time, clocks, shadows, and the sun through familiarization with traditional Kyrgyz time measures and the principle of working with sundials (gnomon). Particular attention was paid to the formation of the concept of time using elements of Kyrgyz national traditions, and relevant information is presented. A set of practical tasks is proposed, including determining the time, parts of the day, the interval “uch chakty” (approximately three hours), etc., using a model of a yurt (boz uy), along with their solutions. Additionally, a lesson plan is developed for forming the concept of time among preschool children based on a STEAM program integrated with elements of Kyrgyz national traditions, as well as the knowledge children need to orient themselves in time. The incorporation of elements of national heritage not only facilitates the development of mathematical concepts but also nurtures a sense of belonging to Kyrgyz culture, which positively influences children’s overall motivation to learn. The importance of early childhood mathematical education and the formation of the concept of time in conjunction with Kyrgyz national traditions are emphasized in the final part of the study.