External authors:

• Carla Gallardo-Estrada ( Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile )
• Mauricio Pinto ( Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile )
• Danilo Alvares ( University of Cambridge )
• Carlos Alario-Hoyos ( Universidad Carlos III de Madrid )

Abstract:

This study examined the impact of a targeted educational intervention on enhancing grit and critical thinking skills among 10-year-old primary school students in rural Chile. The intervention, involving 153 students from six public schools, used a language classroom model with structured reading activities. Grit and critical thinking were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results showed improvements in the intervention group. The intervention's effectiveness was consistent across genders. The findings suggest that structured, student-centered educational strategies can enhance grit and critical thinking in primary students. Further research is needed to generalize the results to different settings and age groups.