Which cognitive skill is developed during the Concrete Operations stage?

During the Concrete Operations stage, which is typically recognized by developmental psychologist Jean Piaget as occurring between the ages of 7 and 11, children begin to develop logical thinking skills. This stage is characterized by a growing ability to think logically about concrete events and to understand the concept of conservation—that is, realizing that quantity does not change even when the shape does.

Children in this stage can perform operations mentally and understand relationships among different objects and concepts, provided they are tangible and not abstract. They can also categorize objects, understand the concept of time, and manipulate symbols in a concrete manner.

While abstract reasoning, imaginary play, and emotional regulation are important skills, they either emerge later in development or relate to different areas of cognitive and social-emotional growth. Thus, logical thinking stands out as the central cognitive skill associated with the Concrete Operations stage.