Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development theory directly relates to this strategy?

The formal operational stage, which typically begins around age 12, involves the ability to think abstractly and systematically. While critical for advanced reasoning and hypothetical thinking, this stage does not directly relate to the strategy in question, as it focuses more on abstract concepts rather than concrete operations with tangible objects.

The sensorimotor stage occurs from birth to about 2 years, where infants learn through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. This stage is primarily about gaining motor skills and sensory awareness rather than cognitive strategies involving logical reasoning or problem-solving, thereby making it irrelevant to the strategy in question.

In the preoperational stage, occurring between ages 2 and 7, children are beginning to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols, but they lack the ability to perform operations logically. The limitations in reasoning and understanding of conservation during this stage mean it does not directly relate to the strategic thinking required in the concrete operational stage.