What occurs during the concrete operational stage of development?

During the concrete operational stage of development, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, children begin to think logically about concrete events. They can perform operations that involve tangible objects but may struggle with abstract concepts. During this stage, children develop the ability to understand the concept of conservation, meaning they grasp that quantity does not change even when its shape does. They also become capable of organizing objects into hierarchical categories and understanding the relationships between them.

This stage marks a significant advancement in cognitive development as children move beyond the intuitive reasoning prevalent in the previous stage and start to apply logic to physical, concrete situations. Their thinking is more systematic, allowing them to solve problems and understand the perspectives of others better, albeit still within the realm of tangible experiences. This ability to think logically about real events underscores the importance of concrete experiences in their intellectual growth during this developmental phase.