Does the preoperational stage of cognitive development occur from birth to two years of age?

The preoperational stage of cognitive development, as defined by developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, actually occurs from approximately ages two to seven. Therefore, stating that it occurs from birth to two years of age is incorrect and aligns with the answer provided.

During the first two years of life, children are in the sensorimotor stage, where they learn through their senses and motor activities. This early stage is characterized by the development of basic motor skills and sensory experiences rather than symbolic thought, which is a hallmark of the preoperational stage.

In the preoperational stage, children begin to use language to explore their world, demonstrate imaginative play, and develop memory and the ability to think symbolically. This stage is characterized by egocentrism and the inability to understand the perspective of others, as well as a focus on intuition over logic.

Thus, indicating that the preoperational stage starts at birth and ends at age two misrepresents Piaget's framework of cognitive development.