As the first stage in moral development, preconventional morality is essentially the approach to right and wrong taken by children. Children often make moral decisions based on how it will impact them. ... In preconventional morality, the focus is on individual consequences in determining right and wrong.

Why is Preconventional moral reasoning important?

Each level has two distinct stages. During the preconventional level, a child's sense of morality is externally controlled. ... Children continue to accept the rules of authority figures, but this is now because they believe that this is necessary to ensure positive relationships and societal order.

What does Preconventional morality mean?

Preconventional morality is the first stage of moral development, and lasts until approximately age 9. At the preconventional level children don't have a personal code of morality, and instead moral decisions are shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking their rules.