Situations of social development as a means of social education of senior pupils

The article raises the issues related to social education and social development of senior pupils. The author analyzes one of the most important pedagogical means used in educational work with senior pupils - situations of social development. Various approaches to define social situations are considered, the attempt to determine the proper meaning of this phenomenon on the basis of existing ones is carried out. The social situation of a senior pupil's development is presented not only as a method, but also as a way of preparing a senior student to self-realization in life.