In which stage of cognitive development according to Piaget would a preschooler be classified?

A preschooler would be classified in the preoperational stage of cognitive development according to Piaget. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 2 and 7 years. During this time, children begin to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols but do not yet understand concrete logic.

In the preoperational stage, children are characterized by their ability to think about things symbolically and begin to use language to represent objects and feelings. They show an increase in the ability to think about things not present, engage in imaginative play, and have a powerful ability to create and express ideas through language and art.

This stage also includes characteristics such as egocentrism, where children have difficulty seeing perspectives other than their own, and animism, which is the belief that inanimate objects have feelings and intentions. These characteristics reflect the preschooler's cognitive abilities, emphasizing their imaginative and symbolic thinking rather than logical reasoning, which only begins to emerge in the next stage.

The other stages mentioned do not align with the developmental characteristics of preschoolers. The sensorimotor stage occurs before the age of 2, while the concrete operations stage typically happens from ages 7 to 11, and formal operations from around age 12 onward, where logical