Which one of the following is not a limitation of the preoperational thought?

The correct option is Development of the symbolic thought.

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development outlines four major stages: the sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, and formal operational stage. The preoperational stage occurs roughly between the ages of 2 and 7 years.

During the preoperational stage, children undergo significant cognitive changes, but their thinking still exhibits several key cognitive limitations:

1. Tendency to concentrate (Centration): This is the limitation where a child focuses or concentrates on only one salient feature of an object or situation while ignoring other relevant aspects.
2. Egocentrism: This is the inability of a child to distinguish between their own perspective and someone else's perspective. They assume that others see, hear, and feel exactly as they do.
3. Irreversibility: This refers to the inability to mentally reverse a series of events or steps. Children cannot mentally undo an action to return to the starting point.

On the other hand, the development of symbolic thought is a major cognitive accomplishment or milestone of the preoperational stage, not a limitation. Symbolic thought allows children to use symbols, gestures, words, images, or drawings to represent objects, people, or events that are not physically present (such as engaging in pretend play or using language).

Therefore, development of symbolic thought is an achievement of this stage rather than a limitation.