At what stage do children begin to "think like a scientist" according to cognitive development theories?

Children begin to "think like a scientist" during the formal operational stage, which typically occurs from around age 12 and onwards. This stage is characterized by the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and systematically approach problems. Children can formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions based on their observations. This aligns with scientific thinking, as they can manipulate variables and consider various possibilities in a more structured and logical manner.

In contrast, during the other stages—preoperational, concrete operational, and sensorimotor—children do not yet possess the same level of abstract reasoning or systematic thinking. For example, in the preoperational stage, children engage in symbolic thinking but are often limited by egocentrism and a lack of logical reasoning. The concrete operational stage allows for more logical thought but is still tied to concrete, tangible concepts rather than abstract principles. The sensorimotor stage focuses on physical interaction with the environment, establishing foundational cognitive processes but lacking the ability to think abstractly or hypothetically.