Muhammad Rijal Wahid Muharram, Tatang Herman, Wahyudin, Rosiana Mufliva
This study aims to explore the relationship between students' mathematical mindset, critical thinking skills, and the obstacles they encounter during productive struggle in elementary mathematics. A mathematical mindset, particularly a growth mindset, is crucial in fostering persistence and resilience when facing mathematical challenges. However, previous research indicates that students' critical thinking abilities in mathematics remain underdeveloped. To address this, the study employed a descriptive qualitative approach, involving 32 stage C students from a public elementary school in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. Data were collected through written tests and questionnaires designed to assess students' mathematical mindset and critical thinking skills. The data were analyzed using thematic coding, which revealed four major obstacles that hinder students' development of critical thinking: (1) building basic skills and representing concepts, (2) understanding basic problems, (3) drawing conclusions, and (4) developing strategies and tactics. The findings suggest that, while students generally exhibit a growth mathematical mindset, they face significant challenges in applying critical thinking to productive struggle-based questions. These insights are essential for designing instructional strategies that support the development of both a growth mindset and critical thinking in mathematics. © 2025 Author(s).
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi, No. 229, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia
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