During which stage do preschoolers begin using symbols to represent objects?

Preschoolers enter the preoperational stage of cognitive development, which typically spans from ages 2 to 7, according to Piaget's theory. During this stage, children begin to use symbols and language to represent objects and experiences. This symbolic thinking is vital for their cognitive development as it allows them to engage in imaginative play, understand language, and communicate their thoughts and feelings more effectively.

In the preoperational stage, children develop the ability to think about things that are not immediately present, which also includes understanding the use of symbols, such as words, pictures, or drawings that represent real objects or events. This ability is foundational for later cognitive skills and is a significant leap from the earlier sensorimotor stage, where children primarily understand the world through their immediate sensory experiences and actions.

The other stages mentioned do not primarily focus on the development of symbolic thought in the same way. For instance, the concrete-operational stage, which follows the preoperational stage, is when children begin to think logically about concrete events but do not yet think abstractly. The formal operations stage marks the ability to think abstractly and systematically, which comes after the preoperational stage.