At what stage of development does animism primarily develop?

Animism primarily develops during the preoperational stage of cognitive development, which occurs approximately between the ages of 2 to 7 years, according to Jean Piaget's theory. During this stage, children begin to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols, which can lead to the belief that inanimate objects possess feelings, intentions, or consciousness. This characteristic allows children to interpret the world around them in a more imaginative and creative way.

In the preoperational stage, children exhibit egocentrism and struggle to understand perspectives different from their own. This limited perspective contributes to their tendency to attribute life-like qualities to objects, thereby reflecting a form of animism. For instance, a child might believe that a stuffed animal feels sad if it is not included in play, demonstrating their capacity for imaginative thinking.

As children progress to later stages of development, specifically the concrete operational stage, their thinking becomes more logical and organized, allowing them to understand the differences between living and non-living things. Therefore, the preoperational stage is critical for the emergence of animism in a child's cognitive development.