In Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory, what occurs during the sensorimotor stage?

In Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory, the sensorimotor stage, which spans from birth to approximately two years of age, is characterized by infants learning primarily through their sensory experiences and physical interactions with the world around them. During this stage, infants explore their environment using their senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, as well as through their motor actions like reaching, grasping, and crawling. This exploration is crucial for their cognitive development, as it helps them form basic concepts of object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

The focus on sensory and motor experiences distinguishes this stage from later stages, where more complex cognitive processes like logical reasoning and abstract thinking begin to emerge. Understanding this foundational aspect of Piaget's theory highlights how sensory input and motor activities are critical for cognitive growth in early childhood.