In which stage of Piaget's theory do children learn language but not comprehend logical operations?

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children in the preoperational stage, which spans from approximately ages 2 to 7, begin to develop language skills and engage in symbolic play, but they do not yet grasp logical operations. This stage is characterized by a growth in vocabulary and the ability to form sentences, allowing for communication and expression of thoughts. Despite these advancements in language, children at this stage think intuitively rather than logically, leading to egocentric perspectives where they have difficulty understanding others' viewpoints.

The inability to perform logical operations is evident in the children's challenges with tasks that require reasoning, such as understanding the principle of conservation (the idea that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or arrangement) or categorizing objects based on multiple criteria. This contrasts with the later stages, where logical thinking becomes more prominent. In the concrete operational stage, for example, children begin to operate logically regarding tangible objects and events but still struggle with abstract concepts. Thus, identifying the preoperational stage as the time when children learn language but lack logical comprehension aligns perfectly with Piaget's developmental framework.