807 Project Based Learning on Promoting Children’s Critical Thinking Skills: A Systematic Review Sun DongJin 1,2 , Zakiah Binti Mohamad Ashari 1 1 School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, 2 Faculty of International Education, Shandong Vocational and Technical University of International Studies, Rizhao, Shandong, China Corresponding Author Email: sundongjin@graduate.utm.my Abstract This paper explores the impact of project-based learning (PjBL) on the development of children's critical thinking skills through a systematic review. PjBL, as a student-centered instructional approach, promotes active learning and deeper understanding by engaging students in projects that solve real-world problems. Research has shown that PjBL is effective in enhancing students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and cognitive skills, as well as their motivation and engagement. This paper adopts a constructivist-based learning module to systematically review and analyze the relevant literature in terms of five main factors: the PjBL learning environment, cognitive process, learner characteristics, social interaction, and assessment and reflection. The results of the research show that PjBL has significant effectiveness in educational practice, especially in enhancing students' critical thinking. This paper aims to provide guidance for educational practice and to inform future research directions. Keywords: Project-based Learning (PjBL), Critical Thinking, Children Educational Practices, Cognitive Development Introduction Project-based learning (PjBL) is a student-centered instructional approach that promotes active learning and deeper understanding by engaging students in projects that solve real-world problems (Guo et al., 2020). PjBL emphasizes student inquiry, collaboration, and reflection so that students not only gain knowledge, but also develop critical 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, innovation, and team cooperation (Guo et al., 2020; Tamim & Grant, 2013). Critical thinking is an important cognitive skill that involves analyzing, evaluating, and reasoning to make sound judgments and decisions (Heard et al., 2020). In the fast-changing modern society, critical thinking is crucial for individual and societal adaptability and innovation (Heard et al., 2020). Therefore, educators and researchers are increasingly concerned about how to effectively develop students' critical thinking skills. Project-based learning (PjBL), as an instructional strategy, is believed to be effective in promoting the development of critical thinking (Sari & Prasetyo, 2021). It stimulates students' Vol 13, Issue 3, (2024) E-ISSN: 2226-6348 To Link this Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i3/21732 DOI:10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i3/21732 Published Online: 13 June 2024