FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

During which stage do children begin to think logically about concrete events?

1. Sensorimotor Stage

2. Preoperational Stage

3. Concrete Operational Stage

4. Formal Operational Stage

The correct answer is: Concrete Operational Stage

Children begin to think logically about concrete events during the Concrete Operational Stage. This stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, is characterized by the development of logical reasoning but is limited to tangible, concrete situations rather than abstract concepts. In this stage, children become capable of understanding the concept of conservation—recognizing that quantity doesn't change even when its shape does—and they develop the ability to classify objects, understand the concept of hierarchies, and engage in organized problem-solving. This logical thinking about concrete events allows them to perform operations that involve real objects and can apply these operations to various situations. In contrast, the earlier stages, such as the Sensorimotor and Preoperational Stages, lack this level of logical thinking. The Formal Operational Stage that follows involves the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically, which is a more advanced cognitive skill not yet present in the Concrete Operational Stage.