Primary School Thinking Skills

Building Thinking Skills in Pre-service Elementary School Teacher

Nathan Moore, Jacqueline R. O’Donnell

This study is valuable for elementary teachers as it shows how to build strong thinking and reasoning skills through hands-on, inquiry-based activities that can be easily used in primary classrooms.

The Direct Teaching of Thinking as a Skill

Edward F. De Bono

Concept paper describing thinking as a separate, teachable skill. Summarizes classroom trials of “thinking lessons” in primary schools and reports gains in problem solving and decision making. Teachers can use explicit, short thinking activities to practice skills like alternatives, consequences, and priorities.

Developing Decision-Making Competence in Primary School Students: Effects of an Inquiry-, Problem-Solving-, and Role-Play-Based Educational Intervention

Monica Maier

Educational intervention study. It found inquiry, problem solving, and role play supported decision-making competence in primary pupils. Teachers can use real-life choices, discussion, and role play to strengthen reasoning and responsible decisions.

Prospective Thinking and Decision Making in Primary School Age Children

Elisabetta Lombardi, Cinzia Di Dio, Ilaria Castelli, Davide Massaro, Antonella Marchetti

Experimental study with primary-age children. It found children can improve decision making when thinking ahead. Teachers can ask students to predict outcomes before choosing an action.

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills of Elementary School Students through Collaborative Learning

Sie Wai Sylvia Chew, Xuan-Yang Huang, Fu-Hui Hsu, Nian-Shing Chen

This article shows that collaborative learning can effectively improve elementary students’ critical thinking by engaging them in group problem-solving, discussion, and active participation. It provides practical, research-based strategies that help teachers create more interactive lessons and develop students’ higher-order thinking skills.