Final answer:
Children develop a theory of mind (ToM) between 3-5 years old, transitioning from egocentric thinking to understanding others may have different thoughts and beliefs. Early childhood (2-4 years old) involves forming self-concept and social play, and school-age children (6-11 years old) develop logical thinking patterns and an awareness of group identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children begin to develop the understanding that other people have different motivations, ideas, or points of view at a specific stage in their cognitive development. This concept is called theory of mind (ToM), which refers to the recognition that others have their thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives that may differ from one's own.
According to research, it is between the ages of 3-5 years old that children transition from egocentric thinking to acquiring a theory of mind. This means they start to grasp that others might have different thoughts or beliefs, and this marks an important milestone in their social and cognitive development. At this stage, they might use this newfound understanding in various ways, such as teasing others, trying to convince parents to buy them candy, or comprehending why a sibling is upset.
During early childhood, from ages 2-4, children begin to form a self-concept, engage in social play, and develop gender roles. By age 4, they can cooperate with peers, share, and feel more autonomous. As they grow, school-age children become aware of their group memberships, recognize personal traits, and compare themselves to others.
Children around the age of 6 start to also show signs of self-awareness pertaining to group identity and personal abilities. Emotional development continues as well, with self-esteem being affected by peer relations and increasing awareness of privacy and modesty.
It's critical to acknowledge the cognitive milestones children reach as they learn new ways to think and process information. For example, they understand object permanence around 8 months old and develop logical thinking patterns with concrete information during middle to late childhood.
Furthermore, during adolescence, cognitive abilities maturing into adulthood take shape, enabling young people to display similar levels of various cognitive skills as seen in adults, although complete maturation of the frontal lobes continues until around 25 years old.
Each stage of cognitive development is integral to understanding how a child perceives and interacts with the world, shaping their responses to various social situations, their problem-solving abilities, and their interactions.