When do children typically transition into the Concrete Operational Stage?

Children typically transition into the Concrete Operational Stage between the ages of 7 and 11 years old, according to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. During this stage, children begin to think more logically about concrete events and gain a better understanding of the concepts of time, space, and quantity. They start to grasp the notion of conservation—that is, the understanding that quantity does not change even when its shape does. This stage marks a significant shift from the earlier Preoperational Stage, where thinking is more egocentric and intuitive rather than logical and organized.

At this stage, children also become more capable of performing operations that involve physical manipulation of objects rather than just thinking abstractly about them. For instance, they can better understand the relationships between different objects and can classify them in more sophisticated ways. This cognitive development is crucial for their academic progress and social interaction as they approach middle childhood.