PEDAGOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AT THE PRIMARY EDUCATION LEVEL

This article discusses the pedagogical, psychological, and methodological foundations for developing critical thinking skills in primary school students. The essence of critical thinking, the necessity of fostering it from an early age, strategies applied in the learning process, instructional methods, and the role of the teacher are analyzed. The significance of critical thinking in shaping students into independent thinkers within a modern educational environment is highlighted.