What is the primary characteristic of preoperational thought according to Piaget?

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the preoperational stage, which occurs roughly between the ages of 2 and 7, is defined primarily by the development of symbolic function. This is the ability of children to use symbols, such as words and images, to represent objects and experiences. For example, during this stage, a child might use a stick as a pretend sword or create imaginative scenarios during play, demonstrating an understanding that objects can stand in for other things.

Symbolic function allows children to engage in more complex thought processes than mere practical actions, laying the groundwork for creative and abstract thinking. This characteristic is crucial because it marks a shift from the earlier sensorimotor stage, where children's thinking is primarily based on direct sensory experiences and physical interactions with the world.

The other key elements associated with this developmental stage, such as egocentrism—where children may struggle to see things from perspectives other than their own—do represent characteristics of preoperational thought but are examples of how symbolic function manifests. Logical reasoning and concrete operations are not relevant to this stage as they pertain to subsequent stages of development, specifically the concrete operational stage that follows preoperational thought.