Which sequence correctly identifies Piaget's stages of cognitive development?

Piaget's stages of cognitive development are foundational to understanding how children think and learn as they grow. According to Piaget, the correct sequence begins with the sensorimotor stage, which lasts from birth to about age two. During this stage, infants learn about the world through their senses and motor actions, developing object permanence.

Following this is the preoperational stage, which spans from approximately age two to seven. In this phase, children begin to use language to explore and represent their experiences, but they struggle with understanding the perspectives of others and engaging in logical reasoning.

Next is the concrete operational stage, from ages seven to eleven, where children start to think logically about concrete events. They can perform operations and understand the concept of conservation, but abstract thinking remains challenging.

Finally, the formal operational stage begins in adolescence and continues into adulthood. At this stage, individuals develop the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and use deductive reasoning.

This sequence—sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational—accurately reflects Piaget's theory and highlights the progression of cognitive skills from basic sensorimotor functions to high-level abstract thinking.