According to Piaget's theory, in what age range do children begin representing things with symbols?

According to Piaget's theory, in what age range do children begin representing things with symbols?

• A. Between 12 and 18 months
• B. Between 24 and 36 months
• C. Between 18 and 24 months
• D. After 3 years

Answer: (C)

Symbolic representation starts to appear in the later part of the sensorimotor period. Around 18 to 24 months, children begin using objects to stand for other things and engage in pretend play, signaling the emergence of representational thought. This is when words and simple symbols start carrying meaning beyond the here-and-now, laying the groundwork for the language-filled, pretend-rich thinking of later stages. Before this window, infants mainly interact with the world through concrete actions on present objects. So, the age range when children begin representing things with symbols is about 18 to 24 months.

Symbolic representation starts to appear in the later part of the sensorimotor period. Around 18 to 24 months, children begin using objects to stand for other things and engage in pretend play, signaling the emergence of representational thought. This is when words and simple symbols start carrying meaning beyond the here-and-now, laying the groundwork for the language-filled, pretend-rich thinking of later stages. Before this window, infants mainly interact with the world through concrete actions on present objects. So, the age range when children begin representing things with symbols is about 18 to 24 months.