Describe the stages of cognitive development according to Piaget for children in the birth to kindergarten range.

The correct answer identifies the sensorimotor stage and the preoperational stage as the primary stages of cognitive development according to Piaget for children in the birth to kindergarten range.

During the sensorimotor stage, which spans from birth to about 2 years of age, infants learn about the world through their senses and actions. They explore their environment by touching, looking, and manipulating objects, developing an understanding of object permanence—that is, the realization that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Following this stage is the preoperational stage, which occurs roughly between the ages of 2 and 7. In this stage, children begin to use language and engage in symbolic play. Their thinking is characterized by egocentrism, meaning they have difficulty seeing perspectives other than their own, and animism, where they attribute human-like qualities to inanimate objects. Although children in this stage show significant advancements in cognitive abilities, they still struggle with understanding logical operations and are often focused on the way things look rather than the underlying principles.

These two stages effectively capture the key cognitive developments that take place during the critical early years of life, highlighting how children transition from purely sensory exploration to more complex mental processes.