Chetverikova Nataliia Alekseevna

The article raises questions related to the essential characteristics and features of the functioning of the creative associations of students in the institutions and organizations of additional education of children and youth. Attention is drawn to the uniqueness and specificity of children's art groups, manifested in the organization of educational process focused, socially-oriented educational activities and events.

The article presents the key psychological and pedagogical ideas underlying the additional educational program part-time school "Leader". The authors represent many years of experience understanding the program, created especially justify the educational environment and the specificity of teaching positions that allow the implementation of tasks in the educational process to promote and support personal self-development of pupils.