In what way does a child's egocentric thinking in the preoperational stage of cognitive development affect their moral reasoning?

During the preoperational stage of cognitive development, which occurs roughly between ages 2 and 7, children often think egocentrically. This means they see the world mainly from their own perspective and have difficulty understanding how others feel or think. As a result, their moral reasoning is often based on personal experiences and what they want, rather than considering the needs or rights of others. For example, if a child takes a toy from a friend, they might not understand that this action can hurt their friend's feelings; they are focused only on their desire to play with the toy. This limited view can lead to misunderstandings about fairness and empathy, which are important for developing a more complex sense of morality as they grow older.