When we look at Piaget's stages of cognitive development, it's really interesting to see how kids think and learn as they get older. Piaget identified four main stages, and each one has its own special features:

1. Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years):

• Exploration: Babies learn by playing with and touching things around them.
• Object Permanence: Around 8-12 months, they begin to realize that things still exist even when they can’t see them.
• Reflexes to Intentional Actions: Babies move from just reacting automatically (like grabbing) to moving purposefully.

2. Preoperational Stage (2-7 years):

• Symbolic Thought: Kids start using words, drawings, and symbols to represent things and experiences.
• Egocentrism: They find it hard to understand other people’s perspectives—like thinking everyone sees the world just like they do.
• Animism: Many kids believe that non-living things have feelings and thoughts.

3. Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years):

• Logical Thinking: Children start to think logically about real events. They can sort items and understand the idea of conservation, like knowing that the amount of liquid stays the same no matter the shape of the container.
• Reversibility: They learn that actions can be undone, which helps them figure out problems better.

4. Formal Operational Stage (12 years and up):

• Abstract Thinking: Teens can think about complex ideas and imagined situations.
• Problem-Solving: They are good at figuring things out and can plan step-by-step to tackle challenges.
• Metacognition: They begin to think about their own thoughts. This helps them manage their learning and strategies more effectively.

These stages show how amazing it is to watch kids grow and change. Their understanding gets richer and more creative as they develop!