What is egocentrism primarily characterized by in children's behavior?

Egocentrism in children is primarily understood as a cognitive limitation where they have difficulty grasping that other people may have different thoughts, feelings, or perspectives from their own. This characteristic is central to theories of cognitive development, particularly those proposed by Jean Piaget. In the preoperational stage of development, which typically occurs from ages two to seven, children often assume that everyone sees and thinks about the world in the same way they do. This results in behavior that appears self-centered because they cannot yet put themselves in someone else's shoes, leading to misunderstandings in social situations.

This cognitive limitation is distinct from emotional immaturity, sensory limitations, or confusion between self-actions and their consequences. While these may influence a child’s behavior, they do not specifically encapsulate the essence of egocentrism, which fundamentally revolves around the inability to recognize and appreciate differing perspectives among individuals.