What illustrates the concept of conservation in development?

The concept of conservation in development refers to a child's ability to understand that certain properties of objects remain constant despite changes in form or arrangement. The correct answer highlights this ability effectively.

In this example, recognizing that two nickels hold the same value as five pennies demonstrates an understanding of numerical conservation, which is a key cognitive milestone in childhood development. This recognition shows that the child comprehends the idea of quantity being preserved despite changes in the form of the currency, highlighting an essential aspect of cognitive development where children learn that properties remain unchanged even when they are altered in appearance.

The other options do illustrate related ideas but do not align as closely with the concept of conservation. For instance, realizing that a ball of clay can be shaped differently yet retains the same volume directly pertains to physical conservation, which is more about matter. The idea of a taller container holding more liquid refers to volume but involves comparative perception rather than the notion that the properties remain consistent. Lastly, while recognizing that a person may look different with makeup touches on identity and perception, it does not connect directly to the conservation of material properties or quantities.