PLANNING FOR LEARNER AUTONOMY THROUGH CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITIES: STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS

This article explores the integration of critical thinking activities to foster learner autonomy among primary school students. Developing autonomy in young learners is crucial for cultivating responsibility, decision-making, and self-regulated learning. Teachers play a pivotal role in scaffolding this process, transitioning from instructors to facilitators. By embedding critical thinking into everyday activities, primary educators can prepare learners for a lifetime of independent learning and problem-solving.