Guidelines for Organizing Active Learning Activities to Promote Critical Thinking and Creativity

Abstract

This article aimed to study guidelines for organizing active learning activities to promote critical thinking and creativity among students in early childhood education program. The study findings revealed that teachers and instructors in schools and educational institutions organized both in-class and out-of-class learning activities emphasizing students’ interaction with learning process, stimulating higher-order thinking through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Various methods were used in activities such as motivation to increase students’ interest in learning, creating learning environment to promote students’ freedom of thought and action, critical thinking, and creativity. Students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on practice, with emphasis on learning in terms of knowledge and understanding, leading to the development of good skills that can be applied in daily life and positive attitudes toward learning. Teachers and instructors played the role of providing support and guidance to students' learning process by organizing learning experiences that enable learners to achieve effective learning.