Nurturing Critical Thinking from Pre-School: Lessons for Early Years Educators

Abstract

Education across the globe is under increasing pressure to prepare learners who are ready to address numerous problems and challenges facing humanity in the 21st century and beyond. One of the notable factors that has been advanced is the lack of adequate and competent teachers able to nurture critical thinking and innovation skills. This paper explores the importance of critical thinking and strategies to develop them from early years. The study discusses the role of constructivism as a theory advocating active participation of learners and assuring that learning is significant. This presentation addresses many possible features and forms of critical thinking and the pedagogies that support learners in acquiring new competencies and skills to tackle 21st century challenges. The study concludes that if the world is determined to meet 2030 goals, early years educators should ensure adequate caregiving, and schools are expected to offer adequate methodologies for the development of skills of creative thinking as early as possible. Keywords: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Constructivism, Early Years Learning. Aims Research Journal Reference Format: Awopetu, A. (2022) Nurturing Critical Thinking From Pre-School: Lessons For Early Years Educators. Advances in Multidisciplinary and Scientific Research Journal Vol. 8. No. 4. Pp 24-34. www.isteams.net/aimsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/V8N4P4x