Which cognitive development milestone is characteristic of a 4-year-old?

A 4-year-old typically demonstrates intuitive thought, which is characterized by their ability to think and reason in a more imaginative and creative manner, primarily relying on their own experiences. At this age, children are beginning to engage in symbolic play and can understand concepts through intuition rather than logic, though their reasoning is still not fully developed.

Intuitive thinking allows them to ask "why" and "how" regarding the world around them, reflecting their growing curiosity and desire to understand their experiences. While they might not yet grasp more complex cognitive concepts such as conservation (the understanding that certain properties remain constant despite changes in form or appearance, which develops later), their ability to express their thoughts about things they can see, hear, or feel characterizes their cognitive development stage.

Inductive reasoning is typically more advanced and develops further in later childhood, while concrete operational thought signifies a stage of cognitive maturity that is more evident in children aged 7 to 11. Conservation, as a concept, usually emerges with concrete operational thinking, further indicating that the choice highlighting intuitive thought aligns with the developmental milestones appropriate for a 4-year-old.