The authors reveal the relevance of the issues of acquiring the autonomy of universities, improving educational programs. The continuous process of reviewing the content of educational programs taking into account the requirements of society, employers, and students is of great importance in increasing the competitiveness of a graduate of a higher institution. The authors believe that the future primary school teacher should have not only subject competencies, but additional, including "flexible" skills (soft skills). Thus, the formation of additional competencies is necessary for a teacher to carry out subject teaching, work with parents, successful interaction with colleagues, self-development, and achievement of professional and personal success. The ability to independently develop educational programs at a university increases the responsibility for training a future specialist. The authors describe the content of additional educational programs (Minor) "Pedagogy and methodology of primary education" of the direction 6B01301 - "Teacher without subject specialization", such as "STEM-education in elementary school" and "STEAM-approach in elementary school".