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Children are described as experiencing collective monologue during the preoperational phase, which typically occurs between the ages of 2 and 7 years according to Piaget's stages of cognitive development. In this phase, children engage in play and communication that often involves verbal expressions where they speak out loud sharing their thoughts, feelings, and narratives without necessarily listening to or responding to the conversations of others.

Collective monologue reflects a way that young children communicate as they are focused on their own thoughts, while still in a social context with others. Although they may be in the same room and may even be talking simultaneously, they do not fully engage in true dialogue where there is reciprocal exchange of ideas and viewpoints. This demonstrates their egocentric thinking, which is characteristic of the preoperational stage. Children are exploring language and symbolism, yet they have not yet developed the capacity for an organized logical thought process found in later stages.

The other phases, such as sensorimotor, concrete operations, and object constancy, do not emphasize this aspect of verbal interaction among peers. The sensorimotor phase focuses on learning through sensory experiences and motor actions. Concrete operations, which occurs from about age 7 to 11, involves clearer and more logical thinking and includes