What key feature does the preoperational stage display regarding a child’s reasoning abilities?

The preoperational stage, as defined by Piaget, is characterized by a child's reliance on tangible, perceptual experiences rather than logical reasoning. During this developmental period, which typically spans from ages 2 to 7, children begin to engage in symbolic thought and imaginative play but still think in a concrete manner. They tend to focus on the here-and-now, relying heavily on what they can see, touch, and directly experience. As a result, their reasoning is often based on their perceptions rather than logical processes.

For instance, a child in this stage may struggle to understand concepts that are not directly observable or do not have a clear physical representation, such as hypothetical scenarios or abstract ideas. This reliance on perception means that while children can represent objects with symbols (like using a banana as a phone in play), they may not yet be able to think systematically about problems or form logical connections that require abstract reasoning.