Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development suggests that children move through how many different stages?

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development posits that children progress through four distinct stages as they develop their cognitive abilities. These stages—sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational—each represent different ways in which children understand and interact with the world around them.

The sensorimotor stage, which lasts from birth to approximately 2 years, involves learning through sensory experiences and actions. The preoperational stage, occurring roughly from ages 2 to 7, is characterized by the development of language and symbolic thinking, although logical reasoning is not yet fully developed. The concrete operational stage spans from about ages 7 to 11, where children begin to think logically about concrete events but still struggle with abstract concepts. Finally, the formal operational stage, which typically starts at age 12 and continues into adulthood, involves the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and use deductive reasoning.

Understanding these four stages helps educators tailor their teaching strategies to align with the cognitive abilities and developmental needs of children at different ages.