Research states that "As the child develops and goes through the process of assimilation and accommodation, their brain will develop through the natural process of maturation, and therefore their understanding of the world matures and their ability to accurately interpret and predict the world develops," (Oakley ). A whole new understanding of themselves and the word around them is facilitated through preschooler's cognitive developments. Psychologists Jean Piaget places preschool children within the preoperational stage, between the ages of two and six years old. According to his research, this stage in the theory of cognitive development harbors increased language development and imaginative play, hence books chosen for this stage should appeal to both. Expanded memory allows for children to gather and retain much more information than in previous years. However, this rapid new development is limited by egocentrism, where "the child can only view the world from their perspective and finds it difficult to understand any other perspective," (Oakley). Yet, even in spite of limited understanding of others, the child becomes capable of abstract thought in that they can use an object to represent something else. This abstract thought is what helps drive the development of more complex language and social skills. During this stage, children also develop specific social skills and understandings. According to research, "Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting children's healthy development," (Cooper 2009). Children imitate language and behavior from their caregivers. Attachment can also have serious impacts on a child's social development. Healthy attachment allows children to hold meaningful relationships and trust with other individuals, while insecure attachment can breed behavioral problems such as intense fear of abandonment and self-esteem issues. Another important factor in the social development of children is the external world around them. Studies have shown that "Neighborhood characteristics and family income can be risk factors that impact young children's social-emotional health and development," (Cooper 2009). Low income neighborhoods tend to harbor an environment with more potential behavioral problems. Other children also...

Play becomes increasingly imaginative and imitative, showing how children understanding the social rules and concepts around them in the adult world.
Annotated References

Cooper, Janice L. (2009). Social-emotional development in early childhood. National Center for Children in Poverty. Retrieved October 10, 2009 at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_882.html

This publication explores the factors which influence a child's social development within the preschool years. It gives clear research findings regarding parental and caregiver influences along with social and neighborhood ones as well. It also outlines the potential hazards and issues of a child who develops within a problem area.

Lopes, Marilyn. (1995). Selecting books for children. National Network for Childcare. University of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 10, 2009 at http://www.nncc.org/Literacy/select.books.html

This site is a recommendation-based site which takes proven strategies and concepts developed by child psychologists at the University of Massachusetts. As part of the national network for child care, it aims to help parents make appropriate decisions for their children regarding books based on that child's age.

Oakley, Lisa. (2004). Cognitive Development. Routledge Modular Psychology.

This book centers around the developmental theories of psychologist Jean Piaget. It discusses each stage in great detail and gives amazing insight in the language and cognitive development of preschoolers who are in the preoperational stage from two to six years of age.

Oswalt, Angela. (2007). Early childhood cognitive development: language development. Childhood Development and Parenting: Early Childhood. Mental Help. Retrieve October 10, 2009 at http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=12761&cn=462

This article describes the process of preschool children as they move from a much simpler language base to a more complex one. It describes how this process includes more complex understanding of grammatical rules based on imitating the speech of adults around them, as well as the heightened cognitive ability to remember such speech.