In Piaget's concrete operational stage, what does "classification" refer to?

In Piaget's concrete operational stage, classification refers to the ability to understand and organize objects based on shared characteristics and properties. This includes naming and identifying sets of objects, which is a critical cognitive skill that develops during this stage. Children learn to group items based on similar attributes such as size, color, or shape, and they can recognize subcategories within a larger group.

This skill reflects a greater understanding of logical thinking and helps children categorize their experiences and knowledge about the world. The ability to name and identify sets of objects is foundational for further cognitive development, enabling children to engage in more complex reasoning tasks as they grow. This progression is crucial for academic learning, especially in subjects that require categorization, such as mathematics and science.