In which stage of Piaget's cognitive development do children start to think abstractly?

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the stage in which children begin to think abstractly is the formal operational stage. This stage typically emerges around the age of 12 and continues into adulthood. During this period, individuals develop the ability to perform operations on abstract concepts, think logically about hypothetical situations, and systematically plan their actions.

Children in the formal operational stage can understand algebraic concepts, engage in scientific reasoning, and think about the future or potential outcomes of various events. This marks a significant shift from the earlier stages, where thinking was more concrete and tied to direct experiences or observable phenomena. The capacity to think abstractly allows for advanced problem-solving and the exploration of theoretical ideas, which are fundamental aspects of higher-level reasoning and education in later years.

In contrast, during earlier stages such as the concrete operational stage, thinking is limited to tangible, concrete experiences, and children struggle with abstract thought. Thus, the formal operational stage is key to the development of advanced cognitive skills.