Which stage involves the use of language without an understanding of concrete logic?

The preoperational stage is characterized by the development of language and the ability to engage in symbolic play, even though individuals in this stage typically do not possess the ability to perform operations that require concrete logic. This stage, as defined by cognitive development theorist Jean Piaget, spans roughly ages 2 to 7 years. During this period, children can use words, images, and symbols to represent objects and experiences, which marks a significant advancement over earlier stages.

However, children at this stage exhibit substantial limitations in their logical reasoning abilities. They may engage in magical thinking and often reason intuitively, without the ability to think logically about physical properties or relationships. They may struggle with understanding concepts such as conservation (the idea that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or arrangement) due to their egocentric perspective, which limits their ability to see things from viewpoints different from their own.

In contrast, the other stages mentioned involve more advanced cognitive processes. The concrete operational stage involves logical thinking that is applied to physical objects, while the formal operational stage involves abstract and hypothetical reasoning. The sensorimotor stage focuses on sensory experiences and motor actions. Therefore, the preoperational stage is the correct choice for a period characterized by language use that lacks an