Published Paper Details:

The development of critical thinking skills is essential in primary education to prepare students for lifelong learning and problem-solving. Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) offers a dynamic, student-centered approach that encourages questioning, exploration, and reflection rather than rote memorization. This paper investigates how inquiry-based teaching methods enhance critical thinking abilities among young learners. It explores theoretical foundations from constructivism (Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey) and identifies pedagogical strategies that foster curiosity, reasoning, and independent thought. The findings indicate that inquiry-based classrooms stimulate deeper understanding, promote active engagement, and nurture creativity. Challenges such as teacher preparedness, curriculum constraints, and assessment limitations are also discussed. Recommendations are provided to integrate inquiry-based learning effectively in the primary education system.