Primary Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices for Boosting Students Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills

Abstract

In the realm of primary education, primary teachers play a pivotal role in development creativity and fostering critical thinking in students. This study's four objectives encompassed investigating primary teachers' core beliefs about the importance of these skills and their influence on instructional practices, evaluating the classroom strategies used to enhance these skills, determining the alignment between beliefs and practices, and providing evidence-based recommendations. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research found that primary teachers consistently believe in the value of creativity and critical thinking, aligning their beliefs with classroom practices. However, practical constraints such as standardized testing and resource limitations present challenges. The study underscores the importance of supportive school environments, ongoing professional development, and resource allocation to promote these skills. Overall, the findings highlight the critical role of primary teachers in influence the students' cognitive development and offer insights for stakeholders aiming to enhance creativity and critical thinking in primary education, aligning with the demands of the 21st century.