Final answer:
The preoperational stage is Piaget's second stage of cognitive development, following the sensorimotor stage, spanning ages 2 to 7 years, where children transition from sensorimotor representation to prelogical thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of development in which a child progresses from sensorimotor representation to prelogical thought is known as the preoperational stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This stage spans approximately from 2 to 7 years old. During this time, children learn to use symbols to represent words, images, and ideas, which is why they engage in pretend play. They also begin to use language, though they are unable to understand adult logic or mentally manipulate information. This stage is significant as it shows a movement away from the actions based learning of the sensorimotor stage to a more symbolic type of thought process, though still not logical by adult standards.