Preoperational Stage
Definition
The preoperational stage is the second stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, typically occurring between ages 2 and 7. During this stage, children start to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols, but they lack the ability to perform operations - logical reasoning processes.
Analogy
Think of a child at this stage as an artist who has just discovered how to use paint but doesn't yet understand how to mix colors. They can create vivid pictures (symbolic thinking) but can't yet combine or transform these images logically (perform operations).
Theoretical Perspectives
The preoperational stage, part of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, emphasizes the limitations in children's thinking, such as egocentrism and a lack of conservation skills, typically from ages 2 to 7.Study And Research Findings
Study and Research FindingsRelated terms
Symbolic Play: This refers to a type of play where children use objects, actions or ideas to represent other objects, actions, or ideas.
Cognitive Development: This term refers to the process by which a child learns about and interacts with the world around them. It includes learning language, problem-solving skills, memory development and more.
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: A comprehensive theory about the nature and development of human intelligence primarily created by Jean Piaget. It deals with nature of knowledge itself and how humans gradually come to acquire it.
"Preoperational Stage" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (3)
- Based on Piaget’s cognitive development theory, how can we intervene with children struggling with conservation tasks during their preoperational stage?
- What is a major milestone in the preoperational stage of Piaget's cognitive developmental theory?
- Which psychologist's theory would argue that a child who has not yet mastered the concept of conservation is in the preoperational stage?
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