Final answer:
Middle childhood, covering ages six to ten years, is a period of significant improvement in memory and information-processing skills. Children at this stage develop more logical thinking and begin to process complex ideas. These cognitive advancements set the stage for further development during adolescence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of what advances in memory and other information-processing skills occur during middle childhood is that b) middle childhood sees improvements in memory and various information-processing skills. During this stage, which covers ages six to ten years, children’s cognitive skills, including memory and processing abilities, are developing. Children become more logical and organized in their thinking, especially when dealing with concrete information. They gain an understanding of time concepts like past, present, and future, improving their ability to plan and work toward goals. Children also begin to grasp complex ideas like addition, subtraction, and cause-and-effect relationships. While attention spans may be limited up until around age 11, there is still a noticeable improvement in cognitive functions during middle childhood.
Moreover, children in this stage are physiologically priming for more complex thought processes that will continue to develop into adolescence. During adolescence, there is an increase in processing speed and efficiency, paving the way for abstract thinking and the ability to debate and form new ideas. While the brain does undergo significant development during adolescence, the groundwork laid during middle childhood is crucial for later cognitive advancements.