The authors of the article consider the actual problems of the development of a modern schoolboy, in particular metacognitive skills as the basis for the development of intellectual and creative potential of a younger schoolboy. The article clarifies the basic concepts: metacognition, metacognitive skills. The approaches to understanding the concept of "metacognition" and its role in the development of creative intelligence of younger schoolchildren are revealed. The results of the study of the role of metacognitive skills in the development of intellectual and creative potential of younger schoolchildren are reflected. The key characteristics of metacognition and intellectual and creative potential of younger schoolchildren are revealed and the leading role of metacognition in its development is determined. As a result of the study, it was found that intellectual and creative potential manifests both universality, since it is a meta-objective and meta-cognitive category, and individuality, since its manifestation is a purposeful and controlled student process based on generalization and interpretation of meta-cognitive experience. On the basis of a certain relationship between metacognition and intellectual and creative potential, as well as relying on the identified identity and cyclical processes of their development, the definition of intellectual and creative potential was developed. The authors have identified the possibilities of metacognition as the basis for the development of intellectual and creative potential of younger schoolchildren. The key characteristics of metacognition and intellectual and creative potential of younger schoolchildren are revealed and the leading role of metacognition in its development is determined.