Final answer:
Children in the preparatory stage of development engage in imitation without a preplanned play theme or goal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children in the preparatory stage of development, typically between the ages of 1-3 years old, engage in imitation with no preplanned play theme or goal. During this stage, toddlers explore their world and learn through playing. They imitate the actions of people they regularly interact with, such as their caregivers.
For example, a child might copy their parent's actions during role-playing or pretend play. This type of play helps children learn about their environment, develop their imagination, and improve their social skills.
So, children in the preparatory stage engage in imitation without a preplanned play theme or goal.