What is one characteristic of Piaget's preoperational stage of cognitive development?

The characteristic of egocentrism accurately reflects a key aspect of Piaget's preoperational stage of cognitive development, which ranges from approximately ages 2 to 7. During this stage, children exhibit a limited ability to see things from perspectives other than their own. This means they often struggle to understand that other people can have different thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

Egocentrism manifests in behaviors where a child may think that what they see or experience is the same for everyone, showcasing their inability to view situations from the viewpoint of others. For instance, when a child is asked how something might look from another person's perspective, they may be unable to provide a correct answer, focusing solely on their own experiences and viewpoints.

This developmental characteristic is significant because it highlights the way young children process information and interact with their environment. It sets the foundation for later cognitive advancements where children begin to understand different perspectives, eventually leading to more complex forms of reasoning and empathy as they mature.