Introduction. For the successful functioning of modern educational technologies based on the principles of a system-activity approach, in the conditions of the Federal State Educational Standard, it is necessary to create a set of pedagogical conditions. The key pedagogical conditions that affect the success of developing cognitive skills of elementary school children in project activities are currently insufficiently discussed in the scientific literature. The purpose of the study is to determine the necessary and sufficient pedagogical conditions for the effective formation of cognitive skills of younger students in project activities. Methodology and methods: the study was carried out on the basis of the analysis of scientific literature, using the method of categorical-system methodology “Method of triadic category decoding”. Results of the study: 1) the key elements of pedagogical conditions that make up their essence are identified: a) the position of the teacher organizing project activities; b) stimulating the formation of motivation for project activities; c) monitoring cognitive skills; 2) a two-level triadic decoding of the corresponding category was made; 3) a set of pedagogical conditions was obtained, necessary and sufficient, for the effective formation of cognitive skills of younger students in project activities. Conclusions. The study made it possible to identify and reveal the essence of the key categories of pedagogical conditions and a complex of pedagogical conditions and create a detailed model that gives a complete picture of the qualitative characteristics of the pedagogical conditions for the formation of cognitive skills of younger students in project activities.