What are the stages of cognitive development according to Piaget?

The stages of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget are widely acknowledged as Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational. This framework outlines how children progress through distinct phases of cognitive maturity as they interact with their environment and build intelligence.

In the Sensorimotor stage, which occurs from birth to approximately two years, infants learn about the world primarily through their senses and actions. This stage involves developing object permanence and beginning to understand the concept of cause and effect.

The Preoperational stage follows from ages two to seven years. During this phase, children begin to use language and think symbolically, but their reasoning is often intuitive and egocentric, meaning they struggle to see things from perspectives other than their own. They engage in imaginative play and start to use symbols to represent objects.

Next is the Concrete Operational stage, which spans ages seven to eleven. In this period, children develop logical thinking but only about concrete objects and situations. They start to grasp the concept of conservation (understanding that quantity doesn’t change despite changes in shape or appearance) and can perform operations mentally rather than just physically.

Finally, the Formal Operational stage, beginning around age twelve, marks the capability for abstract thinking, hypothetical reasoning, and systematic planning.