The Role of Critical Thinking in Primary School Students

Abstract

The article examines the role of critical thinking in the educational process of primary school and its importance for the comprehensive development of a junior school student’s personality. In the context of the rapid growth of information, the formation of children’s ability to consciously perceive educational material, analyze facts, compare different viewpoints, and draw well-grounded conclusions becomes especially relevant. Primary school represents a fundamental stage at which the foundations of cognitive independence and learning skills are established.

The paper reveals the concept of critical thinking taking into account the age characteristics of primary school pupils and emphasizes its influence on the development of logical thinking, speech, attention, and learning motivation. It is noted that the development of critical thinking contributes to improving the quality of knowledge acquisition, fostering interest in learning, and developing the ability to apply acquired knowledge in practical situations.

Special attention is paid to the role of the teacher in the process of developing critical thinking, as well as to pedagogical methods and techniques that promote its formation, such as problem-based learning, dialogue, work with texts, and game-based and research activities. It is emphasized that purposeful and systematic work on the development of critical thinking in primary school creates a solid foundation for successful learning at subsequent levels of education and contributes to the formation of an active, independent, and responsible personality.