THE SCIENTIFIC AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPING CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING IN FUTURE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 63 THE SCIENTIFIC AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPING CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING IN FUTURE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS M.Sh. Jumayeva Researcher at the Uzbekistan National Pedagogical University, Doctor of Philosophy in Pedagogical Sciences (PhD) https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17363729 Abstract. This article highlights the concepts of creative and critical thinking, their scientific and theoretical foundations and their importance in the activities of future primary school teachers. The role of creative and critical thinking competencies in pedagogical activity, its importance in the training of educators, is widely described. There was also talk about the possibility of using modern interactive, innovative methods in the formation and development of competencies of creative and critical thinking. In pedagogical activity, it is highlighted that it is important to be able to carry out independent, critical and creative thinking, and the content of reforms that should be carried out in this regard. Key words: creative and critical thinking, theoretical and scientific basis, interactive methods, innovative technologies, independent thinking. Introduction In today's modern world, reforms in all areas, socio-economic problems facing society, have led to a change in human thinking, worldview and attitude to education. Today, the formation of a personality capable of creative and critical thinking, able to analyze thoughts and reflections, debate on this, identify the essence of the problem and alternative ways to solve it, always distinguish between a fact that can be checked from speculation and personal opinion is one of the leading problems of today's educational system. A number of studies have been carried out on the issues of developing the thinking abilities of learners. In Particular, V.V.Davidov, M.G.Davletshin, I.Y.Lerner, Z.I.Nasimova, E.Geziyev works reveal the types of generalization and their structure, the organization of the educational process in the principles of problematic education, creative and critical thinking. The requirements for the educational process at a time when all today's spheres are developing rapidly dictate that teachers are not limited only to traditional knowledge and pedagogical skills, but also constantly develop their creative and critical thinking abilities. "Creative thinking is a thought process focused on innovating and solving problems original, while critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze given data, evaluate them reasonably, and draw rational conclusions. Research shows that developing creative and critical thinking in elementary grades serves to enhance children's future academic achievement, innovative thinking, and problem-solving skills. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the methodologies of primary school teachers aimed at the formation of these competencies ". The modern educational system, adapted to the changes taking place in society, requires improving approaches aimed at developing the creative and critical thinking abilities of students, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 64 encouraging activity. Especially for primary school teachers, the development of competencies of creative and critical thinking is one of the important areas of modern pedagogy, which directly affects the formation of children's independent thinking, problem solving and innovative approaches. Thoktasinov D.F. in his opinion, “scientific research is carried out on the didacticpedagogical capabilities of educational situations aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of general secondary education in World educational and scientific research institutions, developing theoretical-methodological aspects, improving the model for the development of students ' logical thinking, developing critical and creative thinking skills in students”. Thought (Arabic for Idea, mind, mind, meditation) is an object, thought or fantasy about a person, which expresses various meanings inherent in a lively language and text. The word” thought", as a result of spiritual activity, represents the sum of concepts, ideas, reflections, visions and decisions that are generated in the human mind. From an academic point of view, thought is the process of drawing new knowledge or conclusions based on information entered through an analytical, logical or intuitive process. American philosopher and educator “J.Dewey says that only if educators begin to deal with a particular problem will they develop creative and critical thinking. The most important question that is considered the starting point of the educational process, relevant to a situation or event, is the question of what kind of problem this phenomenon creates. Only when he struggles with a certain problem and seeks his own personal path to get out of a complex situation does he really think. From this it can be concluded that as the teacher prepares for the lesson, it is necessary that the students determine the range of problems that can collide, and then prepare the future elementary school teachers to independently formulate these problems themselves”. Robert Diane believes that critical thinking is a form of thinking and analysis in problem solving and decision making. Critical thinking, based on logic and thorough thinking, is purposeful thinking based on well-founded evidence. It defines problems, identifies competitive evidence, uses relevant information, raises key questions, and makes effective use of data to draw reasonable conclusions. Critical thinking does not involve just criticism of ideas. Critical thinking is not used only for serious topics and important issues. You can also think critically about what food to eat or how to dress. Certain tendencies or inclinations are necessary for critical thinking. Among them are open-mindedness, honesty and flexibility, perseverance, rationality, hard work and attention. Critical thinkers revisit ideas and sometimes change their minds. They recognize the legitimacy of alternative views, accept ambiguities, and leave open to continuing study. Important critical thinking skills include assessment and self - management. Robert Diane believes that creative thinking is fantastic thinking focused on innovation. It is based on questions about what if, Why, why not, how else. Creative thinking is based on considering alternatives, possibilities, imaginations and other ways of doing things. The key to creative thinking is imagination. It was described by the American philosopher John Dewey as looking at things as if they could be different. Its purpose is to develop new concepts, new approaches and perspectives. Some features of creative thinking include openness to new ideas. ” Belief in the existence of alternatives, the creation of several approaches to problems, the testing of new ways of generating ideas, related to the types of imagination, innovation, identity, lateral thinking, divergent and convergent thinking ". SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 65 According to Edward de Bono, one of the most basic tasks of Lateral thinking (lateral thinking)is to identify and oppose dominant ideas, since a dominant idea can be a real obstacle in the process of creative thinking. In every business, dominant ideas are introduced into the system in a very subtle way and often imperceptibly, which is achieved through strategies, marketing slogans, habits and traditions, such as the idea that the old “we always worked this way and it helped us”. Despite much debate about the definition and nature of critical and creative thinking concepts, there is less discussion about their relationship. At this point, the question arises: Are they completely different or is there any connection between critical and creative thinking? Padgett states that creativity and creative thinking are related to each other, helping to provide different ways of perceiving the situation; after solving the problem using analytical and logical reasoning, the solution can be found through creative reasoning. It is at this point that creative and critical thinking come together, since we evaluate that the solution found is the best solution. Nevertheless, Harris emphasizes the distinctive features of critical and creative thinking. He analyzes how they work, concluding that both types of thinking are interconnected in the activity of the mind. He says:”in activities such as problem solving, both types of thinking are important to us." First of all, we need to analyze the problem; then create possible solutions; then select the best solution and implement it; and finally, evaluate the effectiveness of the solution. Hence, this process shows an exchange between critical and creative thinking. In everyday practice, critical and creative thinking work at the same time, and they are actually not unusual. Paul and Elder affirm the relationship between critical and creative thinking with Harris's opinion: “the critical and creative functions of the mind are so closely connected-that they cannot be distinguished, otherwise both will be seriously damaged”. In fact, good thinking requires imagination and intellectual standards. Thus, critical and creative thinking are not independent types of thinking, they work in different contexts, but rather they are inextricably linked and participate in the process of good thinking in any field. Conclusion Critical and creative thinking are achievements of thought. Critical thinking is carried out after creative thinking has created various possibilities. Creativity manages the creation or production process. Criticality governs the process of evaluation or judgment. The nature of consciousness is the production of thoughts. Thinking is a high cognitive process, carried out in order to change reality, create a new product based on historicism, find new solutions to existing problems. Our consciousness, especially our thoughts, influences our perception and therefore influences our interpretation of reality. Creativism is closely related to critical thinking, working together. Creative thinking is generative and critical thinking is analytical. The following approaches are effective in shaping creative and critical thinking: 1. Metacognitive reflex. It is necessary to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their thoughts and talk about the importance of this process. That is, at the end of each lesson, they must be able to evaluate their activities. 2. Logical thinking. Students should approach and find a solution to any problem, not superficial, with a comprehensive study and in-depth analysis. 3. Asking open-ended questions. SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 66 One of the requirements of today's time is also precisely to be able to keep an open mind and ask open questions. The student must always think openly, express questions both intelligibly and fluently. 4. Information literacy. Everyone who is engaged in the field of pedagogy should have information literacy, be able to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information. REFERENCES 1. Robert Diane. "Critical and Creative Thinking: A Brief Guide for Teachers” John Wiley - 2016.- 233 P. 2. Robert H. Ennis's tendency to think creatively and critically: their essence and evaluation. Informal logic volume 18, № 2 & 3 (1996): 165-182, 166-PP. 3. Sadikova D.X. Development of professional qualities of teachers of the future primary class on the basis of innovative educational technologies. Dissertation written for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) in Pedagogical Sciences. Tashkent – 2022. 4. Sattorova F.E. The direction of non-philological education is the improvement of communicative competencies of future primary school teachers in teaching English. Dissertation written for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pedagogical Sciences. Tashkent – 2022. 148 b. 5. Smirnova S. Improving the communicative competence of future teachers based on the development of creative and critical thinking. Doctor of philosophy in Pedagogical Sciences (PhD) thesis abstract. Tashkent – 2022. 6. Jumayeva M.Sh. Improving the methodology for the development of creative and critical thinking competencies of future primary school teachers. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis in Pedagogical Sciences . Tashkent – 2025.