What is the core concept of conservation in cognitive development?

The core concept of conservation in cognitive development refers to the understanding that certain properties of objects, such as volume, mass, and number, remain the same despite changes in the shape or arrangement of those objects. For instance, if water from a short, wide glass is poured into a tall, thin glass, a child who has developed conservation understands that the amount of water remains constant even though its appearance changes. This understanding demonstrates an important cognitive shift that occurs as children develop, moving from a concrete operational stage where they may be easily influenced by superficial appearances to a more advanced understanding of underlying properties that remain unchanged.

This concept is pivotal in cognitive development theories, particularly in Piaget's stages of cognitive development, where conservation is characteristic of the concrete operational stage, typically occurring between ages 7 to 11. Being able to recognize that changes in shape or arrangement do not alter substance is key to children's logical thinking as they grow and begin to understand more abstract concepts.