The article deals with the topical issue of theoretical understanding and pedagogical assistance to the development of environmental awareness, the formation of environmental culture among schoolchildren in the framework of additional environmental education. The author substantiates the connection of the formation of ecological consciousness and ecological culture in schoolchildren with the process of the formation of their view of the world. In this regard, the role, methodological techniques and ways of implementing ethno cultural traditions in the system of additional environmental education are noted.

The article deals with the urgent issue of systematic development of disabled children with good intellect. It substantiates the role of purposeful pedagogical assistance in the formation of research skills of disabled students, which contributes to their personal development and effective self-actualization in their future educational and professional activities. In this regard, the article presents the methodological bases and ways of implementation of research activities in ecology as one of the possible and effective ways of intellectual development of children with disabilities, formation of their research skills.