During which stage do infants and toddlers primarily learn about their world through senses and motor skills?

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Prepare for the Florida DCF Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practices Exam. Study with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions that include hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

The correct choice is based on the understanding of Jean Piaget's stages of cognitive development, specifically the sensorimotor stage. This stage, which spans from birth to approximately 2 years old, is characterized by infants and toddlers primarily learning about their world through their senses and motor actions. During this stage, children interact with their environment by touching, seeing, hearing, and moving, which allows them to gain knowledge and understanding of their surroundings.

Infants are exploring their capabilities, discovering how to manipulate objects, and engaging with those around them, which is crucial for their cognitive development. This hands-on interaction lays the groundwork for future learning, as they begin to form mental representations of the world around them and develop important problem-solving skills.

The other stages mentioned involve different forms of cognitive development. For instance, the concrete-operational stage (ages 7 to 11) focuses on logical thinking and understanding concrete events. The formal operations stage (typically beginning around age 12) involves abstract thinking and reasoning, while the preoperational stage (ages 2 to 7) is marked by symbolic thinking and egocentrism, rather than the sensory and motor exploration foundational to the sensorimotor stage.