Which stage of cognitive development occurs generally between ages 8 and 11, according to Piaget?

The correct answer is the Concrete operational stage of cognitive development, which Piaget outlines as typically occurring between the ages of 7 and 11 years. During this stage, children develop a better understanding of mental operations and can work with concrete information. They begin to think logically about concrete events, understand the concept of conservation (the understanding that quantity doesn’t change even when its shape does), and can classify and seriate objects based on different characteristics.

Children engaged in the concrete operational stage are not yet capable of abstract reasoning or hypothetical thinking—that capability comes later in the formal operational stage. The ability to engage in logical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding relationships between different objects or ideas marks significant cognitive growth as children interact with their environment more robustly. This is crucial for their academic progress and social interactions as they move from simple, egocentric reasoning in earlier stages to more logical and organized thought processes.