The preoperational stage of cognitive development marks a major qualitative leap in thinking because it ushers in

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The preoperational stage of cognitive development marks a major qualitative leap in thinking because it ushers in the use of symbolic thought. The child can now use symbols (such as words and images) to represent objects and events in their mind, which allows for more complex forms of communication and imagination. However, logic and reasoning are still limited, and the child may struggle with tasks that require understanding of concrete rules and relationships (such as conservation tasks). Object permanence, the understanding that objects exist even when they are out of sight, develops during the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years). Transductive reasoning, the tendency to make illogical conclusions based on superficial similarities, is also commonly seen in the preoperational stage.

The Preoperational Stage of Cognitive Development Marks a Major Qualitative