The Phenomenon of Prenatal Childhood (Methodology for Building a Program of Medical, Psychological and Pedagogical Support for Child Development in the Dyad “Mother – Prenatal Child”)

Background. The article reviews the evidence of a child’s mental life in the prenatal period of ontogenesis. The authors are well aware that in order to include prenatal childhood in medical, psychological and pedagogical practice, further scientific research is required, as well as a broad scientific discussion on this topic with the need to consolidate the legal status of a prenatal child. Methods. The analysis of scientific literature is carried out. Results. A database has been compiled confirming the presence of various mental and motor reactions of a prenatal child. Conclusion. The data presented in this article provide grounds for distinguishing the prenatal period of ontogenesis as a full-fledged period of childhood, allowing it to be considered as the earliest in organizing the processes of medical, psychological and pedagogical support for children’s development, with the possibility of implementing prenatal programming of child health.