Children in the preoperational stage of cognitive development are capable of understanding that other people can have different perspectives and preferences than their own.

In the preoperational stage of cognitive development, which typically occurs from ages 2 to 7, children start to recognize that other people can think and feel differently from themselves. This means they begin to understand that others may have different likes, dislikes, or opinions. For example, if a child loves chocolate ice cream, they might also learn that a friend prefers vanilla. This understanding is important because it helps children develop empathy and improve their social interactions. Although their thinking is still limited in some ways, recognizing different perspectives is a big step in their growth.