FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which stage of intellectual development occurs between the ages of 2 and 7 according to Piaget?

1. Sensorimotor stage

2. Preoperational stage

3. Concrete operational stage

4. Formal operational stage

The correct answer is: Preoperational stage

The preoperational stage, according to Piaget, encompasses the period from ages 2 to 7. During this stage, children begin to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols, yet they do not yet understand concrete logic. They are developing language and their ability to represent the world around them with words and images, which is crucial for cognitive development. At this stage, children become more adept at using language and imagination but often think intuitively rather than logically. They demonstrate egocentrism, meaning they struggle to see things from perspectives other than their own. They also exhibit a lack of understanding of the concept of conservation, which refers to the understanding that quantity doesn’t change even when its shape does. In contrast, the sensorimotor stage occurs prior to this and involves learning through sensory experiences and manipulating objects, while the concrete operational stage follows, marked by logical reasoning about concrete objects and real events. The formal operational stage involves abstract and hypothetical thinking, developing towards the end of adolescence. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the preoperational stage is specifically identified for children between the ages of 2 and 7.