Abstract

The article is the result of theoretical generalizations on the problems of a retrospective analysis of the essence of self- development and the definition on this basis of a methodological approach in pedagogy which today can be considered as a key one in the context of the general direction of development of modern education Self-development of the personality appears as an interdisciplinary category the formation of which has a long history and is based on the views of philosophers The reference to the works of domestic and foreign authors philosophers psychologists teachers The main difference between the concepts and theories of self-development lies in their methodological foundations while the positions of domestic and foreign authors are brought together by the characteristic of the individual as an instance initiating their own development by considering self-development as the highest value and the main need of the individual As a methodological approach in pedagogy that meets the challenges of modern education an existential approach is determined based on the ideas of individualization and orientation on the upbringing of a free person responsible for his actions and choices Research based on the methodology of existential pedagogy proposed by M I Rozhkov and O S Grebenyuk is a promising direction in the development of modern scientific pedagogical thought The pedagogical support of students self-development based on the methodology of the existential approach can be considered in the educational system as a promising personified educational process that creates the conditions for personal self-development