What cognitive ability develops during the preoperational stage of Piaget's theory?

During the preoperational stage of Piaget's theory, which typically occurs between ages 2 and 7, children develop symbolic thinking and representation. This cognitive ability allows them to use symbols, such as words and images, to represent objects and concepts that are not immediately present. For example, a child may use a stick as a sword or create imaginative scenarios during play, showing an understanding that one thing can stand for another.

This stage is characterized by language development, where children begin to form sentences and communicate more complex ideas. They also engage in pretend play, demonstrating their ability to create representations and engage in imaginative scenarios. At this stage, children may struggle with understanding the perspectives of others, leading to egocentric thinking, which is a limitation of this developmental phase. However, the emergence of symbolic thinking is fundamentally important as it lays the groundwork for more complex cognitive processes that will develop in later stages.