Problem Solving Skills of Elementary School Students: A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract
Problem-solving skills is a 21st-century skill that is important to be developed in elementary schools as students’ provision for facing future challenges. This study aims to identify research trends, learning implementation, pedagogical models or theories, and the impact of problem-solving learning on elementary school students’ learning outcomes during the 2015–2025 period. The systematic literature review method was used with a PRISMA approach through article searches in the Google Scholar and Scopus databases. This study includes several steps, including formulating the problem, identifying and searching the literature using search strings, selecting studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessing the data quality of selected articles, analyzing and integrating research findings to answer research questions. Of the 1,198 articles identified, 41 articles met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The results show that problem-solving research is dominated by Mathematics subjects with quantitative methodology as the most widely used approach, indicating that there are still opportunities for development in other subjects. The implementation of problem-solving learning is categorized into four main approaches including the use of learning models, the development of cognitive thinking processes, strengthening basic literacy, and developing affective aspects. Problem-solving learning has a positive impact on three dimensions, namely improving cognitive abilities, developing affective aspects, and strengthening comprehensive 21st-century skills. This study recommends expanding problem-solving research in subjects other than Mathematics and using qualitative methodology for deeper understanding.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Amir, M. F. (2015). PENGARUH PEMBELAJARAN KONTEKSTUAL TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH MATEMATIKA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR. 34–42.
Aprasela, M., & Silvester. (2025). ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH SISWA KELAS V SD NEGERI 03 BENGKAYANG PADA MATA PELAJARAN IPAS. 06(01), 140–151.
Ariyanto, M., & Kristin, F. (2018). PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM SOLVING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS DAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA. 2(3), 106–115.
Astuti, N. H., Rusilowati, A., Subali, B., & Marwoto, P. (2020). Analisis Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Model Polya Materi Getaran, Gelombang, dan Bunyi Siswa SMP Nurul. 9(1).
Ati, T. P., Setiawan, Y., Kristen, U., & Wacana, S. (2020). EFEKTIVITAS PROBLEM BASED LEARNING-PROBLEM SOLVING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS DALAM. 04(01), 294–303.
Banawi, A., Rumasoreng, M. I., Hasanah, N., & Rahawarin, D. A. (2024). The Relationship between Problem-Solving Skills and Student Academic Achievement : A Meta-Analysis in Education. 6798, 1287–1299.
Bilgin, I., & Erdal, Ş. (2009). The Effects of Problem-Based Learning Instruction on University Students ’ Performance of Conceptual and Quantitative Problems in Gas Concepts. 5(2), 153–164.
Bonotto, C., & Santo, L. D. (2015). On the Relationship Between Problem Posing, Problem Solving, and Creativity in the Primary School. Mathematical Problem Posing: From Research to Effective Practice, 1–569. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6258-3
Brezovszky, B., Mcmullen, J., Veermans, K., Hannula-sormunen, M. M., Rodríguez-aflecht, G., Pongsakdi, N., Laakkonen, E., & Lehtinen, E. (2019). Effects of a mathematics game-based learning environment on primary school students ’ adaptive number knowledge. Computers & Education, 128(February 2017), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.09.011
Checkley, K. (1997). The First Seven . . . and the Eighth : A Conversation with Howard. 55(1), 8–13.
Chen, L., Dooren, W. Van, & Verschaffel, L. (2015). Enhancing the Development of Chinese and Problem- Solving Abilities , Beliefs , and Attitudes : A Design Experiment. 309–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6258-3
Chevalier, M., Giang, C., Piatti, A., & Mondada, F. (2020). Fostering computational thinking through educational robotics: a model for creative computational problem solving. International Journal of STEM Education, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00238-z
Cornoldi, C., Carretti, B., Drusi, S., & Tencati, C. (2015). Improving problem solving in primary school students : The effect of a training programme focusing on metacognition and working memory. 424–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12083
Dinda, S., & Atmojo, S. E. (2024). EFEKTIVITAS MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING PADA PEMBELAJARAN IPA DI KELAS V SDN 1 PADOKAN. 14, 48–57. https://doi.org/10.24929/lensa.v14i1.399
ERDIMEZ, O., TAN, S., Robert, Z., & R. (2020). The Use of Concept Maps as a Tool to Measure Higher Level Thinking Skills in Elementary School Science Classes. February. https://doi.org/10.17478/JEGYS.2017.60
Fazrin, D. N., Widyatiningtyas, R., Sukmana, R. W., & Masalah, L. B. (2019). Penerapan Model Inquiry untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Peserta Didik pada Pembelajaran IPA di Sekolah Dasar. 17(1), 55–62.
Febriatama, R. (2023). SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ( SLR ).
Firdaus, F. M., & Herman, T. (2017). Improving primary students’ mathematical literacy through problem based learning and direct instruction. 12(4), 212–219. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2016.3072
Gökçe, S., & Yenmez, A. A. (2023). Ingenuity of scratch programming on reflective thinking towards problem solving and computational thinking. Education and Information Technologies, 28(5), 5493–5517. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11385-x
Guntur, M., Salsabilla, A., Sahronih, S., Sholeha, H. H., & Based, P. (2025). EFEKTIVITAS MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING BERBASIS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-SLIDESGO UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH. 6, 1–11.
Haddaway, N. R., Page, M. J., Pritchard, C. C., & Mcguinness, L. A. (2022). PRISMA2020 : An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020 ‐ compliant flow diagrams , with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis. 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1230
Hong, J. Y., & Kim, M. K. (2016). Mathematical Abstraction in the Solving of Ill-Structured Problems by Elementary School Students in Korea. 12(2), 267–281. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.1204a
Hooijdonk, M. Van, Mainhard, T., Kroesbergen, E. H., & Tartwijk, J. Van. (2020). Creative Problem Solving in Primary Education : Exploring the Role of Fact Finding , Problem Finding , and Solution Finding across Tasks. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 37(August 2019), 100665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100665
Irawan, S., & Iasha, V. (2021). Model Pembelajaran Core Dan Disposisi Matematis, Terhadap Kemampuan. 17(2), 122–129.
Ji, Z., & Guo, K. (2023). The association between working memory and mathematical problem solving : A three-level. March, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1091126
Juliarti, I., Susanto, H. A., & Astutiningtyas, E. L. (2024). Pemecahan Masalah Menurut Teori Polya, Dewey, Krulick, Dan Rudnick Berdasarkan Kecerdasan Logis Matematis. 15(2), 114–130.
Karaduman, G. B., & Cihan, H. (2018). The Effect of Multiple Intelligence Theory on Students ’ Academic Success in the Subject of Geometric Shapes in Elementary School. 7(2), 227–233. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v7n2p227
Kartikasari, I., Usoso, B., & Riyadi. (2022). The Effectiveness Open-Ended learning and Creative Problem Solving Models to Teach Creative Thinking Skills. 12(4), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.12.04.04
Kasim, Z., Fitriani, S., & Nurul, S. (2023). Peningkatan kualitas karya ilmiah dengan Workshop Literasi Digital ( Mendeley , Publish or Perish , dan Grammarly ). 69–74.
Khodijah, S., Suharno, & Triyanto. (2018). Strategy for Increasing The Students’ Interpersonal Communication Skills through Problem-Based Learning. 2009, 150–158.
Kurniawati, D., & Ekayanti, A. (2020). Pentingnya Berpikir Kritis dalam Pembelajaran Matematika. Griya Journal of Mathematics Education and Application, 3(2), 107–114. 10.31604/ptk.v3i2.107-114
Kurniawati, R. P., Gunawan, I., & Marlina, D. (2020). Mathematic Literation Abilities Based on Problem Solving Abilities in First Class 4 of Elementary School. 487(Ecpe), 186–192.
Latifah, N., Fauzia, U., & Kelana, J. B. (2020). Natural Science Problem Solving in Elementary School Students Using the Project Based Learning ( PjBL ) Model. 4(4), 596–603.
Majiid, M. abdullah. (2020). PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH.
Mulyono, D., & Hidayati, A. N. (2020). Peningkatan Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Melalui Model Pembelajaran Auditory , Intellectualy , Repetition. 2(1), 22–37.
NCTM. (2000). Principles and Standards for School Mathematics Overview.
Nurkaeti, N. (2018). POLYA ’ S STRATEGY : AN ANALYSIS OF MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING DIFFICULTY IN 5 TH GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. July. https://doi.org/10.17509/eh.v10i2.10868
Nuryani, P., Abidin, Y., & Herlambang, Y. T. (2019). MODEL PEDAGOGIK MULTILITERASI DALAM MENGEMBANGKAN KETERAMPILAN BERPIKIR ABAD KE-21. 11(2), 117–126.
Octaliani, L., & Reinita. (2022). Pengembangan media powerpoint interaktif menggunakan model pbl pada pembelajaran tematik di sd. 10(2), 192–201.
Oktaviani, L., & Tari, N. (2018). PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS MASALAH UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH IPA PADA SISWA KELAS VI SD NO 5 JINENG DALEM. 5, 10–15.
Ozcan, Z. (2018). A longitudinal study of early math skills , reading comprehension and mathematical problem solving. 8(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.14527/pegegog.2018.001
Özsoy, G. (2015). Evaluation of Students ’ Mathematical Problem Solving Skills in Relation to Their Reading Levels. 8(1), 113–132.
Öztürk, M., Akkan, Y., & Kaplan, A. (2019). Reading comprehension , Mathematics self- efficacy perception , and Mathematics attitude as correlates of students ’ non-routine Mathematics problem-solving skills in Turkey. 5211. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2019.1648893
Pagarra, H. (2016). PENINGKATAN HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA MELALUI MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM SOLVING PADA SISWA KELAS V SDN KAKATUA.
Prayoga, A., & Setyaningtyas, E. W. (2021). Keefektifan Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning dan Problem Solving Terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Matematika Siswa Kelas V. 05(03), 2652–2665.
Purwaaktari, E. (2015). PENGARUH MODEL COLLABORATIVE LEARNING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH MATEMATIKA DAN SIKAP SOSIAL SISWA KELAS V SD JARAKAN SEWON BANTUL. 2, 95–111.
Putri, R., Dwi, A., Akhsanul, I., Mahfud, E. M., Darmayanti, R., & Sugianto, R. (2023). Problem Solving Analysis Through Tests in View Of Student Learning Achievement. 1(1), 51–61.
Rahmadani. (2019). METODE PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL) Rahmadani. 7(1).
Ramirez, G., Chang, H., Maloney, E. A., Levine, S. C., & Beilock, S. L. (2016). On the relationship between math anxiety and math achievement in early elementary school : The role of problem solving strategies. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY, 141, 83–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2015.07.014
Rauteda, K. R., & History, A. (2025). Quantitative Research in Education : Philosophy , Uses and Limitations. 2(1), 1–11.
Sagita, D. K., Ermawati, D., & Riswari, L. A. (2023). Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematis Siswa Sekolah Dasar. 9(2), 431–439. https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v9i2.4609
Salsabila, fitria khairani, & Surya, A. (2025). Gaya Kognitif pada Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematis Siswa di Sekolah Dasar: Systematic Literature Review (SLR). 8(3), 2179–2189.
Sari, M. Y., & Prihatnani, E. (2021). Perbedaan Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah dari Penerapan Problem Solving dan Problem Posing pada Siswa SMA Mosharafa : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika Mosharafa : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika. 10(September), 471–482.
Sengupta-Irving, T., & Agarwal, P. (2017). Conceptualizing Perseverance in Problem Solving as Collective Enterprise. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 19(2), 115–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/10986065.2017.1295417
Septikasari, R., & Frasandy, R. (2018a). KETERAMPILAN 4C ABAD 21 DALAM PEMBELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN DASAR. 107–117.
Septikasari, R., & Frasandy, R. (2018b). No Title. Https://Ejournal.Uinib.Ac.Id. https://ejournal.uinib.ac.id/jurnal/index.php/alawlad/article/view/1597
Setiyadi, D. (2020). ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH DITINJAU DARI GAYA BELAJAR SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR. 01(1), 1–10.
Siew, N. M., & Chong, C. L. (2021). FOSTERING FIFTH GRADERS’ SCIENTIFIC CREATIVITY THROUGH PROBLEM-BASED. November 2015. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/15.14.655
Sinaga, Y. E., & Kurniawan, D. A. (2025). Upaya Meningkatkan Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Siswa melalui Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning pada Materi Pengukuran di Kelas X. 8(April), 4528–4532.
Siska, M., & Putra, L. V. (2025). Differences in Students ’ Conceptual Understanding with the Problem-based Learning Model Through a Scientific Approach at Grade V Elementary School Students. 9(July), 507–515.
Swanson, H. L. (2016). Word Problem Solving, Working Memory and Serious Math Difficulties: Do Cognitive Strategies Really Make a Difference? Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 5(4), 368–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2016.04.012
Tanty, H., Fernando, C., Valencia, J., & Justin, V. (2022). Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Among Students. 4(3), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.21512/becossjournal.v4i3.8633
Triandini, E., Jayanatha, S., Indrawan, A., Putra, G. W., & Iswara, B. (2019). Metode Systematic Literature Review untuk Identifikasi Platform dan Metode Pengembangan Sistem Informasi di Indonesia. 1(2).
van Zanten, M., & van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M. (2018). Opportunity to learn problem solving in Dutch primary school mathematics textbooks. ZDM - Mathematics Education, 50(5), 827–838. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-018-0973-x
Vicente, S., Verschaffel, L., Sánchez, R., & Múñez, D. (2022). Arithmetic word problem solving. Analysis of Singaporean and Spanish textbooks. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 111(3), 375–397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-022-10169-x
Wulandari, H. T., Purnomo, E. A., & Mawarsari, V. D. (2024). Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematis Ditinjau dari Pikiran Pseudo : Systematic Literature Review ( SLR ). 7, 1352–1359.
Yayuk, E., Purwanto, As’ari, A., & Subanji. (2020). Primary School Students’ Creative Thinking Skills in Mathematics Problem Solving. 9(3), 1281–1295. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.9.3.1281
Yuliana, I., & Priyadi, R. (2020). Students ’ Problem -Solving Abilities in Temperature and Heat Topic. 465(Access 2019), 107–110.
Zubaidah, S. (2016). Berfikir Kritis : Kemampuan Berpikir Tingkat Tinggi Yang dapat Dikembangkan Melalui Pembelajaran Sains. In Seminar Nasional Sains, 6(8), 1–14.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21043/elementary.v14i1.35624
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
indexed by:
