In this article, the authors discuss the relevance of the views of the great scientist and teacher K. D. Ushinsky in our days, since the modern realities of the digitalization of society exacerbate the issue of the cultural essence and the formation of the personality of a young person. It is in the art classes in additional education, according to the authors, that the resources of folk pedagogy according to Ushinsky are applicable. Among the main directions are offered: education of youth in accordance with the national system of values and a personality-oriented approach to classes to achieve the creative development of students. As an example, the content of classes in the vocal studio of a typical institution of secondary vocational education is analyzed.