At what developmental stage does a child begin to think abstractly and develop mental hypotheses?

The developmental stage at which a child begins to think abstractly and develop mental hypotheses is typically during the ages of 11 to 15 years, which corresponds to the stage known as formal operations in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. At this stage, adolescents gain the ability to think about abstract concepts, reason logically, and formulate hypotheses based on theoretical situations rather than concrete experiences.

This cognitive shift allows them to engage in more sophisticated problem-solving, consider possibilities beyond what is immediately present, and understand complex relationships and ideas, such as those found in mathematics, science, and ethical reasoning. This capacity to engage in hypothetico-deductive reasoning marks a significant milestone in cognitive development, enabling deeper learning and understanding across various subjects.

In contrast, younger age groups such as 4 to 6 years old are typically in the preoperational stage, where thinking is still largely influenced by concrete experiences and appearances. The ages between 6 to 10 years often involve concrete operational thinking, which is characterized by the ability to perform operations on tangible objects and events but not yet to think abstractly. The age range of 16 to 18 years likely extends the abilities to include more advanced forms of reasoning but is beyond the initial introduction of abstract thinking.