In psychology, symbolic representation describes the process of the mind using symbols, terms, or pictures to depict physical objects, occurrences, or abstract concepts. It is crucial to cognitive development whereby people learn to think beyond the tangible. Jean Piaget devoted attention to early childhood as a period in which children imaginatively transform objects in symbolic play. This cognitive achievement is a precursor to the development of the higher-order functions of language, advanced creativity, and sophisticated problem-solving. Symbolic representation is evident, for instance, when children use a stick as a sword in pretend play.
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