What age range does the Symbolic mode of thinking encompass in Bruner's framework?

In Bruner's framework of cognitive development, the Symbolic mode of thinking typically encompasses children from around 7 years and older. This stage is characterized by the ability to think abstractly and symbolize ideas through language, symbols, and imaginative play. At this age, children can create mental representations of complex concepts, allowing for more sophisticated forms of communication and understanding.

During this stage, learners are able to engage with more complex tasks, understand relationships between ideas, and develop logical reasoning. The use of symbols and language becomes crucial as they begin to manipulate concepts in their minds, moving beyond concrete experiences.

The other age ranges reference earlier stages of cognitive development, which focus on more basic forms of thinking. For example, the earlier stages involve sensory and motor experiences, and later, intuitive thought processes, which do not yet involve the full-fledged symbolic reasoning seen from around the age of 7 and onward.