Reasoning

By the age of 7, children have the ability to perform multiple classification tasks, order objects in a logical sequence, and understand the principle of conservation. The child is capable of concrete problem solving. For example, they have developed the ability to incorporate understanding with some reversibility. This means quantities moved can be restored such as in arithmetic: 3+4 = 7 and 7-4 = 3. They have the aptitude to apply logic to sort objects, which are not like each other, into groups, where previously they may have been sorted into superficial characteristics such as colour. They can now categorise labels such as number or animal.

Children use concrete reasoning to learn the names and capitals of countries, predict what happens in the physical world, for instance, "if I kick this football will it go into the goal?" or follow instructions or diagrams to make a LEGO® kit. This is important because it is the basis of knowledge and helps with later learning as children can link newer to older ideas.

Children at this age are good at using inductive reasoning, which aims to arrive at a conclusion that is simply likely or probable. For instance, every time William goes near a cat his nose itches and his eyes start to water. He might work out that he is allergic to cats.

Deductive reasoning, or the process of reasoning from one or more statements to reach a logical conclusion, comes later.