Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'B' which states that the four characteristic stages of a child's intellectual development were proposed by Piaget.

Explanation of Piaget's stages of intellectual development:

Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, proposed a theory of cognitive development that focused on how children actively construct their knowledge and understanding of the world. According to Piaget, children progress through four distinct stages of intellectual development, each characterized by specific cognitive abilities and ways of thinking. These stages are:

1. Sensorimotor stage: This is the first stage of intellectual development, which occurs from birth to around 2 years of age. During this stage, children learn about the world through their senses and motor actions. They develop object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. They also start to engage in goal-directed behaviors and develop basic problem-solving skills.

2. Preoperational stage: This stage occurs from around 2 to 7 years of age. Children in this stage develop language and begin to use symbols to represent objects and ideas. However, their thinking is still egocentric, meaning they struggle to see things from other people's perspectives. They also demonstrate animistic thinking, attributing human characteristics to inanimate objects. Additionally, they have difficulty understanding concepts like conservation, which involves understanding that the quantity of a substance remains the same even when its appearance changes.

3. Concrete operational stage: This stage occurs from around 7 to 11 years of age. Children in this stage begin to think more logically and understand concrete operations. They can solve conservation problems and understand reversibility. Their thinking becomes less egocentric, and they are able to consider multiple perspectives. However, their thinking is still limited to concrete, tangible experiences and they struggle with abstract or hypothetical situations.

4. Formal operational stage: This is the final stage of intellectual development and occurs from around 11 years of age onward. During this stage, individuals develop the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically. They can engage in deductive reasoning, form hypotheses, and consider multiple possibilities. They can also engage in systematic problem-solving and think about future possibilities.

In conclusion:

Piaget's theory of cognitive development proposes that children progress through four stages of intellectual development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. These stages are characterized by different cognitive abilities and ways of thinking, and they provide a framework for understanding how children construct their knowledge and understanding of the world.