At what age range do children typically enter the Concrete Operational Stage?

• A. 0-2 years
• B. 2-7 years
• C. 7-11 years
• D. 11 years and older

Answer: (C)

Children typically enter the Concrete Operational Stage between the ages of 7 and 11 years. This stage, defined by Jean Piaget, marks a significant shift in cognitive development. During this period, children begin to think logically about concrete events, develop an understanding of the concept of conservation (the idea that quantity doesn’t change even when its shape does), and become more adept at organizing objects into categories and understanding the perspectives of others.

This developmental milestone allows children to perform operations mentally rather than just physically, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. The age range is critical because it delineates the period when children’s thinking becomes more systematic and logical, moving beyond the preoperational stage, where they may struggle with abstract concepts and operations.

The other age ranges indicated in the options characterize different stages in Piaget's theory, such as the Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years) and the Preoperational Stage (2-7 years), each with distinct characteristics that do not align with the logical thinking and operational abilities exhibited in the Concrete Operational Stage. The final choice, 11 years and older, aligns with the subsequent stage, the Formal Operational Stage, which involves more abstract thinking.