What are the four stages of Piaget’s cognitive development theory?

The four stages of Piaget's cognitive development theory are Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational. This classification reflects the progression of cognitive abilities as children grow, each stage representing a distinct way in which children think and understand the world around them.

In the Sensorimotor stage, which lasts from birth to about 2 years, infants learn through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. They develop object permanence and begin to understand that their actions can lead to certain outcomes.

The Preoperational stage spans ages 2 to 7 and is characterized by the development of language and symbolic thought, though children in this stage tend to be egocentric and struggle with understanding others’ perspectives.

From around ages 7 to 11, children enter the Concrete Operational stage, where they gain a better understanding of logical reasoning but still struggle with abstract concepts. They can perform operations on concrete objects but have difficulty with hypothetical situations.

Finally, the Formal Operational stage begins around age 12 and continues into adulthood, where individuals develop the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and use deductive reasoning. This stage allows for more advanced problem-solving and planning.

This option accurately outlines the comprehensive framework developed by Piaget to explain cognitive development, making