Emotions and critical thinking in regular elementary school students. A systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35381/e.k.v9i17.4929

Keywords:

Critical thinking, basic education, emotional intelligence, systematic review, (UNESCO Thesaurus).

Abstract

This research was based on analyzing emotions and critical thinking in regular elementary school students through a systematic review. The methodology took into account a qualitative approach, with documentary methodology, considering the PRISMA statement. The techniques used were documentary review and content analysis. Eighteen articles were analyzed between 2021 and 2025. The results showed that positive emotions and their appropriate control have strengthened critical thinking in elementary school students. In conclusion, it was found that the cross-cutting relationship of the emotional component in various areas has led to the integration of the emotional dimension into pedagogical practice, which has led to the formation of critical, analytical, and empathetic individuals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aguirre-Coello, J. E., y López-Helguero, M. (2025). Desarrollo del pensamiento crítico en ciencias naturales mediante estrategias colaborativas. Revisión sistemática. EPISTEME KOINONIA, 8(16), 54-76. https://n9.cl/jc9lvx

Ahmed, A. (2025). Towards an affective approach to critical thinking pedagogy. Pedagogies: An International Journal, 20(4), 601-616. https://n9.cl/jssvl

Bahufite, E., Kasonde-Ng’andu, S., & Akakandelwa, A. (2023). The relationships between learners’ academic achievement due to the use of constructivist methods in physical science and their self-esteem in Zambian secondary schools. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100632. https://n9.cl/swwgp

Brockbank, R. B., & Feldon, D. F. (2024). Cognitive reappraisal: The bridge between cognitive load and emotion. Education Sciences, 14(8), 870. https://n9.cl/tkcj5

Contreras-Espinosa, R. S., y Eguia-Gomez, J. L. (2022). Game jams as valuable tools for the development of 21st-century skills. Sustainability, 14(4), 2246. https://n9.cl/skfd6

Garcés, E. F. (2024). El fortalecimiento del pensamiento crítico y las estrategias metacognitivas en estudiantes universitarios. EPISTEME KOINONIA, 7(13), 150-167. https://n9.cl/g2g90

González-Rodríguez, L., y Crujeiras-Pérez, B. (2023). Emociones y desempeño indagatorio de estudiantes de secundaria durante su primera experiencia de aprendizaje en el laboratorio de química. Conferencia Internacional Nuevas Perspectivas en la Educación Científica, (12), 143-160. https://n9.cl/ddkd1

Huang, X., & Lajoie, S. P. (2023). Social emotional interaction in collaborative learning: Why it matters and how can we measure it? Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 7(1), 100447. https://n9.cl/ebho1

Hurtado, C., Villa, M., Caicedo, L., e Isea, J. (2024). A plithogenic statistical approach to digital security measures and emotional health in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Fuzzy Extension and Applications, 5(Special Issue), 25-39. https://n9.cl/au5u0

Hvalby, L., Guldbrandsen, A., & Fandrem, H. (2024). Life skills in compulsory education: A systematic scoping review. Education Sciences, 14(10), 1112. https://n9.cl/warj14

Infante, M., Isea, J., y Méndez, C. (2025). Building critical thinking from dialogical praxis in the university classroom. Revista Conrado, 21(105), e4697. https://n9.cl/ab0rj

Jang, D., Elfenbein, H. A., & Porath, C. (2023). Who succeeds in a leadership course? Achievement is predicted by ability-tested but not self-reported emotional intelligence. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100566. https://n9.cl/rajom1

Kelly, M. L., Yeigh, T., & Hudson, S. (2024). Secondary teachers’ beliefs about the importance of teaching strategies that support behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement in the classroom. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 9, 100891. https://n9.cl/ly2hn

Licoa, R., Sánchez, F., Jaime, T., y Marcillo, J. (2023) Manejo y control de emociones en estudiantes de nivel inicial en Ecuador. CIENCIAMATRIA, IX(1). 1-17. https://n9.cl/e7fqa9

Lombard, F., Schneider, D.K., Merminod, M. et al. (2020) Balancing Emotion and Reason to Develop Critical Thinking About Popularized Neurosciences. Sci & Educ., 29, 1139-1176. https://n9.cl/paq0c0

López-Carrillo, M. D., Calonge García, A., y Lebrón-Moreno, J. A. (2024). Self-regulation of student learning in a STEAM project. Education Sciences, 14(6), 579. https://n9.cl/2uvob

Ma, S., Tiruneh, D. T., & Spector, J. M. (2023). Critical thinking conceptualization in K-12: A case study of middle school teachers. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100517. https://n9.cl/8y6vyx

Martín de Hijas-Larrea, L., Ortiz de Anda-Martín, I., y Díaz-Iso, A. (2025). Teaching with ears wide open: The value of empathic listening. Education Sciences, 15(3), 356. https://n9.cl/rb0hn

Piedade, F., Malafaia, C., Neves, T., Menezes, I., & Loff, M. (2025). El papel de las emociones en el pensamiento crítico sobre la política europea: Afrontar la retórica antiinmigratoria en el aula. Educación, Ciudadanía y Justicia Social, 20(1), 137-152. https://n9.cl/cz2pi7

Piedade, F., Neves, T., Loff, M., y Menezes, I. (2023). Emotional and critical citizens: Portuguese students’ engagement with wicked issues in contemporary EU policy. Educational Review, 77(2), 406-426. https://n9.cl/od9f8

Schlesier, J., Raufelder, D., Ohmes, L., & Moschner, B. (2024). How do primary and early secondary school students report dealing with positive and negative achievement emotions in class? A mixed-methods approach. Education Sciences, 14(6), 582. https://n9.cl/warj14

Shatroubi, T., y Ramirez-Garcia, A. (2023). Coaching-based pedagogy and its impact on students’ self-regulation among marginalized and segregated communities: Palestinian arab middle school students as a case study. Education Sciences, 13(5), 527. https://n9.cl/1ge1c

Vera, M., Mendoza, A., y Beltrán, L. (2024). Intervención de la motivación docente en el logro de los objetivos de aprendizaje: Percepción de los docentes. Revista Gestión de las Personas y Tecnología, 17(50), 20. https://n9.cl/7dx0p

Von Feigenblatt, O. (2024). Immediacy and Sustainable Development: The Perspective of Youth. Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF, 19(2), 1-5. https://n9.cl/jeqf6

Zembylas, M. (2021). Evil, thinking, and emotions in Hannah Arendt’s political philosophy: Implications for the teaching of democratic citizenship. Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 17(1), 3-17. https://n9.cl/f7wp6

Published

2026-01-01

How to Cite

Olano-Dávila, A. M., Huamán-Delgado, N., Ortiz-Salas, D. A., & Jimenez-Taipe, L. (2026). Emotions and critical thinking in regular elementary school students. A systematic review. EPISTEME KOINONIA, 9(17), 356–377. https://doi.org/10.35381/e.k.v9i17.4929

Issue

Section

De Investigación

Most read articles by the same author(s)