Question

Piaget's _____ stage of cognitive development begins when the child can conserve; that is, knows that the amount of a liquid or substance stays the same even when it changes shape. a. sensorimotor b. abstract-ideational c. logical operations d. concrete operations

Short answer

The correct answer is d. concrete operations.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Key Term

The question refers to a stage in Piaget's cognitive development theory. The key term here is 'conserve,' which relates to the ability to understand that quantity does not change despite changes in shape or appearance.

Recall Piaget's Stages

Piaget's theory includes four stages: 1. Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Knowledge of the world is limited to sensory and motor activities. 2. Preoperational (2-7 years): Language and imagination develop, but thinking is intuitive and not yet logical. 3. Concrete Operational (7-11 years): Children start to think logically about concrete events, including the understanding of conservation. 4. Formal Operational (12 years and up): Development of abstract reasoning.

Match the Definition

According to the definition provided in the question, the ability to conserve is characteristic of the concrete operational stage. This stage is when children begin to understand concepts of conservation, which fits the question's description.

Choose the Correct Option

Given that the concrete operational stage is when children can conserve, the correct answer is option 'd. concrete operations.'

Key concepts

Concrete Operational Stage

The concrete operational stage is a crucial period in a child's cognitive development, as proposed by Jean Piaget. It generally spans from ages 7 to 11. During this time, children's thinking becomes more logical and organized when dealing with concrete information. This means they can handle tangible objects and events in a reasonable manner.
One of the major milestones of the concrete operational stage is the child's ability to understand the concept of conservation. Children develop logical thinking about the tangible world and begin to grasp operations, which are mental tasks that follow logical rules. Children at this stage can understand principles such as:

• Reversibility: Knowing that numbers and objects can return to their original state after changes.
• Classification: The ability to categorize objects based on different attributes.
• Seriation: The capability to organize items sequentially, like from smallest to largest.

These accomplishments mark a shift from the intuitive reasoning of younger children towards a more organized and logical way of thinking.

Conservation Concept

The conservation concept is a fundamental idea in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This concept involves understanding that certain properties of objects, such as volume, mass, and number, remain constant despite changes in their form or appearance. It typically develops during the concrete operational stage.
Children begin to perceive that reshaping a piece of clay into a different shape does not alter its amount. Similarly, pouring water from a tall, thin glass into a short, wide one does not change its volume. This understanding demonstrates the child's ability to apply logic and reason to physical objects.

• Matter conservation: Realizing that the quantity of matter is unchanged despite its form.
• Volume conservation: Understanding that the volume is consistent irrespective of the container's shape.
• Number conservation: Knowing the number of objects remains the same despite their arrangement.

Children who grasp the conservation concept can apply logical reasoning to real-world situations, providing the groundwork for more complex cognitive tasks.

Child Cognitive Development

Child cognitive development concerns the remarkable transformations in a child's thinking patterns and intellectual capabilities from birth onwards. It is a comprehensive process influenced by biological growth and environmental experiences. Piaget's theory highlights how children progress through distinct stages, each marked by different intellectual abilities and ways of understanding the world. Early stages like the sensorimotor and preoperational involve basic interactions and develop language and imagination skills. However, it’s during the concrete operational stage that children begin to apply logic to concrete situations.

• Intellectual growth involves the acquisition of knowledge and problem-solving capabilities.
• Children advance from intuitive thought to more structured logical reasoning.
• Cognitive skills such as memory and attention span develop significantly in childhood.

Understanding these stages provides valuable insight into how children learn and adapt, informing parents and educators about fostering a conducive learning environment.