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Analysis of teacher training for the development of the critical thinking

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  • Laura García-Martínez,
  • William-René Reyes-Cabrera
Laura García-Martínez
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, México
William-René Reyes-Cabrera
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, México

Published 2025-11-07

Keywords

  • Critical pedagogy,
  • Critical thinking,
  • Early Childhood Education,
  • Preschool,
  • Teacher education

Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Panamericana de Pedagogía

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

García-Martínez, L., & Reyes-Cabrera, W.-R. (2025). Analysis of teacher training for the development of the critical thinking. Revista Panamericana De Pedagogía, 41. https://doi.org/10.21555/rpp.3570
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Abstract

Training gaps among preschool teachers in different regions of the world have led to significant inequalities in the development of complex cognitive skills such as critical thinking in early childhood. In response to this issue, the present article presents the results of a systematic review on teacher training aimed at the development of critical thinking in preschool education. Based on the PRISMA statement and the use of the PEO strategy, 15 empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed, all of which focus on training processes aimed at pre-service teachers. The results were organized into four categories: authors´ perspectives on critical thinking, pedagogical strategies used, the type of critical thinking promoted, and factors that hindered its development. A diversity of approaches was found, ranging from reflection on practice to socio-critical and ethical stances, as well as a variety of active and contextual methodologies. However, structural and institutional obstacles that hinder implementation were also identified. The review concludes that critical thinking in teacher education should not be understood merely as a technical skill, but as a transformative practice that integrates cognitive, ethical, and political dimensions from early childhood.

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