Oklahoma State Assessment Test (OSAT) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

Which cognitive stage includes reflexes and innate curiosity from birth to 2 years?

1. Pre-operational Stage

2. Formal Operations Stage

3. Sensorimotor Stage

4. Concrete Operations Stage

The correct answer is: Sensorimotor Stage

The sensorimotor stage is the first stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, occurring from birth to about 2 years of age. During this stage, infants primarily learn about the world through their sensory experiences and motor actions. Reflexes play a crucial role in this stage as they are the initial means through which infants interact with their environment. Innate curiosity is also a significant characteristic of this stage, as babies explore their surroundings, manipulate objects, and engage in trial-and-error to see how things work. As they do this, they begin to develop an understanding of object permanence, the idea that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. In contrast, the pre-operational stage, formal operations stage, and concrete operations stage pertain to later developmental phases where cognitive abilities evolve significantly. They focus on more complex reasoning, the ability to manipulate symbols, and logical thinking, which are not characteristic of the very early sensorimotor experiences. This understanding showcases the foundational role that the sensorimotor stage plays in overall cognitive development, emphasizing the importance of exploration and sensory activity during this period.