At what stage do children begin to understand that their perspective is not the only one?

The understanding that one's perspective is not the only one develops during the Concrete-Operational stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years. At this stage, children begin to engage in logical thinking and can understand the concept of conservation, as well as different perspectives. They can see things from viewpoints other than their own, helping them grasp that other individuals may have different thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This shift is a crucial part of cognitive development as it enhances social interactions and empathy.

Other stages, such as Sensorimotor and Preoperational, are marked by egocentric thinking, where children focus primarily on their own perspective. The Sensorimotor stage, occurring from birth to about 2 years, is centered around physical interaction with the environment, while the Preoperational stage, from about 2 to 7 years, is characterized by symbolic thinking but still maintains a limited ability to understand others' viewpoints. The Formal Operational stage begins around age 11, where abstract and hypothetical thinking develops, but the initial understanding of different perspectives is solidified during the Concrete-Operational stage.