What cognitive development marks the transition from the intuitive phase to the concrete operations phase?

The transition from the intuitive phase to the concrete operations phase in cognitive development, as proposed by Jean Piaget, is characterized by the development of systematic reasoning. During the intuitive phase, which typically occurs in early childhood, children think in a more egocentric and unorganized way. They rely heavily on perceptions and tend to lack logical reasoning skills.

As children enter the concrete operations phase, which generally occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, they begin to think more logically and systematically about concrete objects and events. They can perform operations that are reversible, and they start to understand the principle of conservation—recognizing that quantity doesn't change even if its shape does.

This shift allows children to manipulate and organize their thoughts in a more structured way, facilitating problem-solving and logical reasoning over tangible and concrete scenarios. Their ability to engage in systematic reasoning lays a foundation for more complex cognitive tasks that involve organization, classification, and sequencing of information, which are hallmarks of this developmental stage.