METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING IN THE CONTEXT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The development of students’ critical thinking in the context of physical education is a complex and important subject, because it involves not only the development of physical skills, but also their cognitive and emotional abilities. Methodologies carefully selected by teachers/coaches can provide a theoretical and practical basis for the implementation of effective learning strategies, ensuring at the same time: the holistic students progress; understanding how they process information and develop the analysis abilities, evaluation and synthesis; optimizing the educational process, by increasing student involvement andperformance; stimulating their curiosity and problem-solving skills; the use of technology and digital resources in the learning process, etc. The purpose of the research is to identify and analyze effective didactic methods and strategies that contribute to the development of students' critical thinking in physical education classes, thus promoting active and conscious learning, oriented towards the formation of complex skills, necessary in everyday life and in their personal and social progress.The methods used in the research: direct observation, questionnaires and interviews, case study and documentary analysis.Results: the identification and presentation of scientific methodologies that can be used in different contexts of physical education for developing critical thinking in students, including the training/development of the necessary skills, especially the transformative ones in a constantly changing society.