Normative and legal substantiation of the formation of civic identity in primary school children: an analysis of the Strategy of the State National Policy of the Russian Federation until 2036

The adoption of the new Strategy of the State National Policy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2036 (Presidential Decree No. 858 of November 25, 2025) actualizes the task of forming a pan-Russian civic identity starting from primary school age. The article reveals a contradiction between the direct normative requirement of the document (clause 38 "b") and the absence in primary school practice of scientifically grounded diagnostic and methodological tools that take into account the age characteristics of children aged 7–11 years. A comparative analysis with the 2012–2025 Strategy was carried out, revealing key differences: a shift in emphasis from the harmonization of interethnic relations to strengthening civic identity as a cross-cutting goal; direct addressing to primary school ("at all stages"); inslusing the presence of state symbols in children's lives; and a demand for valid diagnostic methods and special teacher training. It is theoretically substantiated that primary school age is sensitive for the interiorization of civic norms and values (L.S. Vygotsky, D.B. Elkonin, L.I. Bozhovich, E. Erikson). The document forms a state order for methodological developments, which is currently being implemented in the research of Herzen State Pedagogical University.