This article examines innovative approaches to organizing independent work in the subject “Folk Pedagogy” in the development of the characteristics of national character among students. The relevance of the topic is determined by the growing need to educate future specialists who possess not only professional knowledge, but also national self-awareness, respect for cultural heritage, moral responsibility and social activity. Folk pedagogy contains the educational experience of the people, including traditions, customs, oral creativity, family upbringing, labor education, moral norms and value orientations. Therefore, the effective organization of independent work in this subject creates important pedagogical opportunities for strengthening students’ national character, developing their reflective thinking and forming a conscious attitude toward national values. The article analyzes the theoretical foundations of folk pedagogy, the essence of national character, and the role of independent work in higher education. It is argued that traditional forms of independent learning should be enriched with innovative methods, digital resources, project-based tasks, reflective assignments, ethnographic mini-research and creative interpretation of folk pedagogical materials. The results of the theoretical analysis show that independent work based on innovative approaches increases students’ motivation, activates cognitive activity, develops value-based thinking and helps connect national educational traditions with modern pedagogical practice. The article concludes that the innovative organization of independent work in “Folk Pedagogy” is an effective means of developing national character and preparing future teachers for culturally grounded educational activity.