Aim. Modern science and technology are founded on the belief in the rationality and mathematical structure of the world. Learning about it, progress and the quality of our lives are directly related to the dissemination of thinking about mathematical education as providing students with the competencies necessary to read Galileo’s “Book of Nature”. The article introduce the idea of the mathematical understanding of reality together with presentation of the leading emotional-volitional tools and competences that elementary education students should be equipped with in order to shape their beliefs regarding the effectiveness of this way of cognition, including supporting them in acquiring relevant knowledge and skills. The goal of the article is to draw attention to the necessity of shifting the mathematical education of children towards applied mathematics and to provide them with appropriate competences that will allow them to better understand reality to utilize it more effectively. Materials and methods. The article is theoretical and methodical in nature and is based on the analysis of the literature on the subject. Conclusion. One of the essential conditions for the personal and professional well-being of modern man and progress in social life is widespread and effective education in the fi eld of applied mathematics, which allows to better understand the world and act successfully in it. Like everything, this process also has its beginnings in elementary education, which, in cooperation with parents and guardians, should shape the foundations of a positive attitude towards this way of learning about the world.