Final answer:
A sensorimotor scheme is part of the first stage of Piaget's cognitive development theory, which encompasses learning through senses and motor behavior from birth to 2 years. Infants develop schemes such as object permanence and reflexive actions that aid in survival. While they are crucial in early development, sensorimotor schemes are not unique to infants, as older children and adults continue to use sensory and motor skills to interact with the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sensorimotor scheme refers to the first stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, extending from birth through about two years of age. During this sensorimotor stage, a child learns about the world through their senses and motor behavior. For example, infants explore objects by putting them in their mouths to see if they are edible, or by grasping, shaking, or banging them to discover sounds. One significant milestone in this stage is the development of object permanence, usually developing between 5 and 8 months, where a child understands that things continue to exist even when they cannot be observed.
Sensorimotor schemes are not unique to infants; all people use sensory input and motor actions to interact with the world throughout their lives. However, these schemes are more prominently observed in infants since they are at the beginning stage of cognitive development. In this period, characterised by significant growth in motor and sensory abilities, infants also show reflexes like sucking and rooting, which are vital for survival and are important precursors to more advanced motor skills such as sitting, crawling, and walking. As infants grow, they refine their sensorimotor schemes through processes like assimilation and accommodation, enhancing their ability to interact with the world.