The Sensorimotor Stage of Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

The theorist, Jean Piaget, was most interested in the development of children’s intellectual organization. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development begins with the sensorimotor stage. Sensorimotor intelligence is thinking by observing objects and acting in response to them. Throughout the stages the child understands that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen which is referred to as object permanence. When a child exhibits a behavior that creates an experience that leads to repetition of the behavior this is known as a circular reaction. (Berk, 2010)

The sensorimotor stage is focused from birth to two years. It is divided into six substages as the infant learns to coordinate their senses and motor skills. The content below lists the six substages.

1) Simple Reflexes (0-1 month)

2) First habits and primary circular reactions (1 to 4 months)

3) Secondary circular reactions (4 to 8 months)

4) Coordination of secondary circular reactions (8-12 months)

5) Tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months)

6) Internalization of schemes/beginnings of representational thought (18-24 months)

Source: Sensorimotor Period. (Lee, 2010)

The first substage includes inborn reflexes such as the root, suck, moro, tonic neck, grasp, Babinski, and step reflexes. During the first month of life it is very evident that the newborn has been born with these important reflexes. A newborn can be placed upon the mothers’ breast and they will root to find food and suck to feed without any assistance. The newborn understands the environment purely through these inborn reflexes. (Santrock, 2008) These reflexes not only help the infant to develop some of them can also be used for survival. At this age the child already has the step reflex...

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...r it up which is stage five. By stage six if I were to tell my two year old he can only have one more treat he was able to think and ask for one more. It is clear that by this stage he was thinking and planning ahead.

Works Cited

Berk, L. E. (2010). Development through the Lifespan. Boston: Pearson Education.

Garvin, B., & West, J. (2010, 10 05). Piagets Sensorimotor Intelligence Period. Retrieved August 03, 2011, from Articlesbase: www.articlesbase.com

Lee. (2010). Piaget: Sensorimotor Period. Retrieved 08 03, 2011, from Columbus City Schools: www.columbuscityschools.org/lee/pioneer/stage1.htm

Piaget, J., Gruber, H., & Voneche, J. (1977). The essential Piaget. New York: Basic Books.

Potter, P. A. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing. St. Louis: Elsevier.

Santrock, J. W. (2008). A topical approach to life-span development. New York City: McGraw-Hill.