What is a key characteristic of children's thinking during the Preoperational stage?

During the Preoperational stage, which typically encompasses children from ages 2 to 7, a key characteristic of their thinking is that it tends to be egocentric and illogical. At this stage, children are not yet able to fully engage in logical reasoning or understand the perspectives of others. This egocentrism means that they have difficulty seeing situations from viewpoints other than their own and often assume that others share their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, their reasoning is often illogical; they might make decisions based on their perceptions rather than on logical analysis or concrete evidence. This combination makes it clear why egocentrism and illogical thinking are hallmark traits of cognitive development in the Preoperational stage.