Describe one characteristic of each of the stages from Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.

Sensorimotor StageThere is a lack of object permanence; for example, if one played a game of peek-a-boo with a ten-month old baby, they would believe the person actually disappeared. Preoperational StageIn this stage children experience egocentrism, or the failure to consider other's perspectives. For example, a two-year-old child might nod 'yes' while talking on the phone. Concrete Operational StageChildren begin to think logically about things they have experienced. The conservation of liquid and number, or the knowledge that quantities/volumes stay the same no matter how they are presented, is gained at this time. Formal Operational StageAbstract knowledge and reasoning thinking skills develop at this stage. Inferential thinking is developed.