Which stage follows the preoperational stage in Piaget's theory where logical thinking develops?

The concrete operational stage is the correct answer because it represents the phase in Piaget's theory of cognitive development that follows the preoperational stage. In this stage, typically occurring between the ages of 7 and 11 years, children begin to think logically about concrete events. They gain a better understanding of the principles of conservation (the idea that quantity doesn't change even when its shape does) and can perform operations on tangible objects. This marks a significant shift from the more egocentric and intuitive thought patterns seen in the preoperational stage, where children engage in symbolic play but struggle with understanding complex concepts that require logical reasoning.

During the concrete operational stage, children can classify objects, understand the concept of reversibility, and organize items into hierarchical categories. This logical structuring reflects a key development in reasoning abilities, contributing to more advanced problem-solving skills. The other options represent stages either preceding or differing significantly from this one.