Elijah is a 3-year-old little boy who likes to spread his peas and carrots all over his plate. After spreading out his food, he asks for more. His mom pushes all the food together and Elijah continues to eat. Which period of cognitive development is Elijah in?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elijah is likely in the preoperational stage of cognitive development, which is characterized by egocentrism and limited understanding of conservation (the idea that the amount of a substance remains the same even if its appearance or arrangement changes). Elijah's behavior of spreading out his food and asking for more without understanding that the amount has not changed, indicates a lack of conservation and understanding of physical properties, which is typical of the preoperational stage.

Elijah Is a 3-Year-Old Little Boy Who Likes to Spread