Final answer:
A child's ability to solve conservation problems is associated with advancements in cognitive skills such as reasoning and logical thinking, which develop from early childhood into the concrete operational stage proposed by Piaget, generally occurring from 7 to 11 years of age.
Step-by-step explanation:
A child's capacity to solve conservation problems is closely linked to the development of certain information processing capacities. Key cognitive skills such as reasoning, the ability to understand and engage in logical thought, and cognitive development greatly influence a child's ability to grasp the concept of conservation. From around 7 to 11 years, during Piaget's concrete operational stage, children's thought processes become more logical and organized, enabling them to comprehend that the volume or mass of an object remains the same despite changes in form or appearance. Thus, as children's information processing abilities mature, their competency in solving conservation tasks increases.
For instance, a child understanding that pouring water from a short, wide glass to a tall, skinny glass doesn't change the amount of water demonstrates a grasp of conservation. This cognitive milestone is reflective of a significant advancement in logical thinking and information-processing competence. The advancement of these skills is a crucial aspect of cognitive development, which encompasses the progressive building of thought processes, like memory, problem-solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.