Unleash Your Inner Social Worker: Master the SWES Human Behavior Exam 2025!

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the first stage is known as the sensorimotor stage. This stage spans from birth up to around two years of age and is characterized by the development of sensory and motor skills. During this period, infants learn about the world through their senses (sight, sound, touch) and their actions (grasping, crawling, sucking).

In the sensorimotor stage, children explore their environment and begin to understand object permanence—the concept that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen or heard. This is a crucial cognitive milestone, as it marks a shift in how children comprehend the world around them. This foundational stage lays the groundwork for further cognitive development, enhancing children’s ability to think and reason in later stages.

The other stages mentioned—concrete operational, preoperational, and formal operational—occur later in development and are characterized by more complex reasoning and understanding. Understanding the sensorimotor stage is essential for grasping how cognitive development progresses as children grow.