At what stage do children begin to use memory strategies according to cognitive development theories?

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Children begin to use memory strategies during the concrete operational stage of cognitive development, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years. At this stage, children start to think logically about concrete events and gain a better understanding of the concept of conservation and hierarchical classification.

The concrete operational stage is significant because it marks a shift from simple, egocentric thinking to more organized and systematic thought processes. Children start employing strategies such as rehearsal, organization, and other mnemonic devices to enhance their memory. They become capable of grouping related information together and using particular strategies to remember details, which contributes greatly to their overall cognitive abilities and learning.

In contrast, during other stages like the preoperational stage, children are more focused on symbolic thinking and imaginative play but do not yet effectively employ memory strategies. The formal operational stage is characterized by abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning, which comes later. The sensorimotor stage, occurring from birth to around 2 years, focuses on the development of physical interaction with the world and does not involve structured memory strategies. Thus, it is during the concrete operational stage that children truly begin to actively use memory strategies as part of their cognitive development.

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