What stage of development involves children learning through manipulation and experiment?

The correct answer is Concrete Operations. This stage, which occurs roughly between ages 7 and 11, is characterized by children beginning to think logically about concrete events. They gain a better understanding of the concepts of conservation, classification, and seriation, which are fundamental to logical reasoning. During this stage, children engage more systematically in manipulation and experimentation, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with mathematical operations and problem-solving tasks.

In the Concrete Operations stage, children are able to think about objects and events in a more organized and logical manner than they could in earlier stages. This ability to manipulate and experiment with concrete objects is essential for their cognitive development, as it helps them make connections between their actions and outcomes, enhancing their understanding of the world around them.

Other stages mentioned do not primarily focus on manipulation and experimentation. For instance, the Sensorimotor stage involves exploration and interaction primarily through the senses and movements, but not in the same structured way as in Concrete Operations. The Preoperational stage is characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism, while the Formal Operations stage introduces abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning, going beyond concrete experiences.