Investigating the application of critical thinking skills based on Vygotsky's socio-cultural learning approach A case study of children's stories by Taghrid al-Najjar

Document Type : research article

Authors

• azadeh ghaderi
• ali asghar yari estahbanati

Faculty member of Shahid Bahonar University, assistant professor of Arabic language and literature department.

https://doi.org/10.22067/jallv16.i2.2406-1426

Abstract

Since cognitive learning approaches—including Vygotsky’s social learning theory—support the development of critical thinking skills, applying the methodological foundations of these approaches can help institutionalize such skills in contemporary human life. This research examines the children's stories of Taghreed Al-Najjar, a contemporary Jordanian writer, analyzing the actions, performances, and dialogues of the characters through a descriptive method based on Facione’s six critical thinking skills models. Additionally, it explores how these skills can be taught using the principle of scaffolding, emphasizing the facilitating role of adults and more skilled peers within the child’s zone of proximal development (ZPD). The findings reveal that Taghreed Al-Najjar simplifies the cognitive complexities of critical thinking by applying social learning theory in her children's stories. Depending on the audience’s age group, self-regulation and interpretation skills rank first and second in priority, serving to enhance cognition, identity formation, character development, awareness, and knowledge generation in children. Furthermore, the skills of inference, analysis, evaluation, and explanation—supported by both emotional and cognitive educational strategies—have been central to the author’s objectives, ultimately contributing to a new perspective on the pedagogical potential of fictional texts. The study also highlights that, from Taghreed Al-Najjar’s perspective, language and culture serve as vital tools for advancing children’s cognitive development and mental structuring. 

Keywords

• children
• thinking
• social learning
• the zone of proximal development
• Taghrid al-Najjar

Main Subjects

• Literary Criticism

References

Al abdul Hashemi, A and others. (2009). Children's Literature: Its Philosophy and Types of Teaching. Jordan: Dar Zahran. [In Arabic].Al abdul Salam, M. (2020). Critical thinking: a theoretical study and Arab and international applications. Without a place: Nour Library. [In Arabic].

Journal of Arabic Language & Literature, Vol. 16, No.2 Serial Number. 37                        page: 2

 Al-Atoum, A and others. (2009). xhg. Amman: Dar Al-Maysara for Publishing and Distribution. [In Arabic].Al-Najjar, T. (2006). What are we playing now? .Jordan، Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution. [In Arabic].___________. (2012). Who hid the Eid sheep?. Jordan، Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution.  [In Arabic]._________. (2013). why not. Jordan: Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution. [In Arabic].__________. (2015). beast. Jordan: Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution. [In Arabic].__________. (2017). City of colours. Jordan: Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution. [In Arabic].____________. (2017).The Adventures of the Strange Stranger. Jordan: Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution. [In Arabic].___________. (2019). The secret of the spotted leopard. Jordan: Dar Al-Salwi for publishing and distribution. [In Arabic].Jabr, A. (2004). Thinking differently (developing critical and creative thinking in children). Palestine:Al-Qattan Center for Research and Development. [In Arabic]Kofhi, I. (2020). Children's and young people's literature. Omman: Dar Al Khaleej for Publishing and Distribution. [In Arabic].

Qasim, M. (2007). Encyclopedia of children's books in the Arab world. Cairo: Egyptian General Book Authority. [In Arabic].

Qazi Moradi, H. (2018). An introduction to critical thinking, assessment of critical and non-critical thinking. Tehran: Akhtaran Publishing. [In Persian].

Saif. .A. Educational psychology: psychology of learning and Instruction. 19th edition Tehran: Doran Publishing. [In Persian].

Salibi, J. (2019). Descriptive culture of educational psychology. Tehran: Research Institute of Human Sciences and Cultural Studies. [In Persian].

Schultz, D. P. Weschultz, S. E (2022). Personality theories. Translated by Yahya Seyed Mohammadi. 47th edition., Tehran:  Publishing edit. [In Persian].

Slavin R. (2006). Educational psychology, theory and application. Translated by Yahya Seyed Mohammadi. 8th edition, Tehran: Ravan Publishing. [In Persian].

Smith, E and others. (2006). Hilgard's field of psychology.. Translated by Nosrat Pourafkari. 3th edition. Tehran: Ayandeh Saz Publication. [In Persian].

Soleiman, A. (2019). Story writing techniques for children. Jordan. publishers and distributors . . [In Persian].

Vygotsky, L. (1988). Thinking and language.Translated by Behrouz Azbdaftari. Tabriz: Nima Publications. [In Persian].

Vygotsky, L. (1990). Mind and society, the development of the great processes of the mind. Interpretation of the dream of an astrologer. Translated by Roya monjjem. Tehran: Scientific Press Institute. [In Persian].

Hosseini Talami, Z and Zainiwand, T. (2021) " Mentality Education for Children in Egypt's Contemporary Fiction: Case Study of Kamel Kilani’ The Merchant of Baghdad using Lipman's Theory". Journal of Arabic Language and Literature. Volume 13. Number 2. pp. 104-121. [In Persian]. Doi:10.22067/jallv13.i2.2104-1042

Lamei giv.A.(2021). "The gender of the characters and their educational function in Zakaria Tamer's children's stories (Case study: Nasaeh mohmalah) ". . Journal of Arabic Language and Literature.Volume 13.Number 3.pp.78-97. Doi:10.22067/jallv13.i3.87330 [In Persian].