The publication reflects the content of the author’s speech at the Forum of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature and Teacher-Librarians. It was devoted to the discussion of mechanisms for improving the process of philological education of modern primary school students. The priority goals of studying the Russian language and literary reading in primary school, the reasons for the decline in the reading activity of the younger generation and ways of forming an interest in independent reading and classical literature are revealed. Specific methods for improving learning outcomes and eliminating difficulties in mastering philological subjects are considered: reliance on the emotion of surprise; special attention to search and research activities; ensuring the integration of subject and meta-subject achievements of schoolchildren; creating a favorable intellectual background for learning.