What is a key characteristic of children in the formal operational stage?

Children in the formal operational stage, which typically begins around age 12, exhibit the ability to think abstractly and engage in logical reasoning about hypothetical situations. This stage, as outlined by Jean Piaget, allows children to consider possibilities beyond the immediate physical world and to think critically about concepts that are not directly observable.

This ability enables them to formulate hypotheses, reason systematically, and understand complex relationships, such as those found in mathematics and scientific theories. The development of abstract thinking is crucial during this stage, as it lays the groundwork for advanced cognitive skills, problem-solving, and decision-making that become increasingly important in adolescence and adulthood.

In contrast, the other options reflect characteristics that are not typical of children in this developmental stage, focusing instead on limitations found in earlier stages of cognitive development.