Egocentrism in Preschool Development

During a routine health assessment of a preschool-aged child, the nurse notes that the child's language skills are developing appropriately for their age. The nurse observes the child is able to use short sentences and comprehend simple instructions. However, one area of concern is the child’s understanding of the concept of time. At this age, children typically can understand broad time concepts, but may not grasp specific time intervals. A common developmental milestone for children aged 3-6 years is the ability to express feelings and thoughts through verbal communication.

The nurse recognizes that at the preschool developmental stage, socialization with peers becomes increasingly important. It is observed that preschool children would often engage in play that involves taking turns and sharing. There is an important social milestone that involves understanding the difference between self and others, known as the concept of _______.