Which theory describes the progression of children's thought through different stages of development?

The cognitive theory of development, commonly associated with Jean Piaget, describes the progression of children's thought through various stages. According to this theory, children move through four distinct stages: the sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, and formal operational stage. Each of these stages marks a different way of thinking and understanding the world, reflecting the child's cognitive abilities at each age.

This theory is foundational in understanding how children acquire knowledge, solve problems, and develop reasoning skills over time. It emphasizes the idea that children's thinking processes evolve as they interact with their environment, suggesting that intellectual development is not purely a linear process but rather a series of transformations influenced by experience.

In contrast, other theories listed focus on different aspects of development. For example, behavioral development theory emphasizes learned behaviors through conditioning rather than cognitive processes. Psychosocial development theory, proposed by Erik Erikson, centers on emotional and social growth rather than purely cognitive milestones. Therefore, the cognitive theory of development accurately captures the progressive stages in which children's thought processes evolve, making it the correct answer.