Which of the following strategies fosters critical thinking in young learners?

Fostering critical thinking in young learners involves engaging them in ways that encourage exploration, questioning, and problem-solving. Inquiry-based learning and problem-solving tasks are designed to stimulate students' curiosity and promote deeper understanding. This approach encourages learners to ask questions, gather information, analyze evidence, and draw conclusions based on their investigations. By actively engaging in hands-on, practical tasks, students develop critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

In contrast, other strategies such as direct instruction with minimal interaction, memorization of facts and figures, and teacher-centered lectures typically do not promote critical thinking. These methods tend to focus more on rote learning and passive reception of information, which can limit students' opportunities to engage with material in a meaningful way. Critical thinking thrives in environments where students feel empowered to explore ideas, express their thoughts, and collaborate with peers to solve complex problems.