Which stage is part of infant cognitive development?

The sensorimotor period is a crucial stage in infant cognitive development, occurring from birth to about two years of age, according to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. During this stage, infants learn through their senses and motor actions, exploring their environment and developing an understanding of the world around them. They experience the world through touch, sight, sound, taste, and movement, leading to important milestones such as object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

This period is characterized by specific developmental tasks, including manipulation of objects and the beginning of goal-directed behavior. Through play and experimentation, infants learn cause and effect relationships, which are foundational for later cognitive skills. Thus, the sensorimotor period is pivotal as it lays the groundwork for more complex thought processes that develop in subsequent stages.

The other stages mentioned, such as the adolescent period and adult learning stage, pertain to later cognitive development and are not relevant to infants. The pre-operational stage follows the sensorimotor period and is significant for the cognitive development of preschool-aged children. Therefore, the sensorimotor period accurately represents the stage of cognitive development specifically related to infants.