Stage Three: Concrete Operational Stage
During the concrete operational stage, which occurs between the ages of seven and eleven, children develop the ability to think logically about tangible events. This stage marks an important milestone in cognitive development as children grasp the concept of conservation. They can now understand that the quantity of liquid remains the same, even if it is poured into a different shaped container. While thinking is still primarily concrete, it becomes more structured and organized. Additionally, this stage enables children to utilize their reasoning skills to anticipate future outcomes.
Stage Four: Formal Operational Stage
During the formal operational stage, which typically starts around the age of twelve and continues into adolescence, a significant cognitive development takes place. At this stage, children acquire the ability to think in more abstract terms and utilize reasoning to tackle hypothetical problems. They begin to shift their focus from self-centered thinking to contemplating moral, ethical, social, political, and philosophical issues that require theoretical and abstract thinking. Deductive reasoning becomes accessible to them, enabling them to solve both concrete and hypothetical problems. Furthermore, this stage marks the onset of future planning abilities in children.