Final answer:
The sensorimotor stage lasts from birth to around 2 years old and involves learning through senses and motor behavior. It includes sensory exploration, motor skills development, and the significant milestone of object permanence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sensorimotor Stage and its Components
The sensorimotor stage is the first stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which spans from birth to approximately 2 years old. During this essential phase, a child learns about the world predominantly through their senses and motor behaviors. This stage is characterized by significant development in motor skills and sensory perceptions. One key component of this stage is the development of object permanence, which usually arises between 5 and 8 months old. It signifies a child's understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen or heard.
The three components that make up this stage include:
- Sensory Exploration: Babies learn by using their senses, such as tasting, touching, smelling, seeing, and hearing.
- Motor Skills Development: As they grow, infants develop motor skills, allowing them to interact physically with their environment.
- Object Permanence: This cognitive milestone is the realization that objects exist independently of the child's interaction with them.