The paper discusses self-study issues in relation to pre-school and early-school children. The key problem in this article was the search for the answer to the question: are theoretical and practical issues at the pre-primary education and early primary school level, preparing children for independent search for knowledge, using different sources of information, fit into a more general and key learning competence? In what range, if so? The paper presents the results of critical analysis of literature in the field of understanding of lifelong learning (adults, teachers). This cognitive category was also included in the current core curriculum for pre-school and early childhood education (children / students), and the results of pedagogical practice in this area were also given.