What is the first stage of cognitive development according to Jean Piaget?

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development consists of four stages, and the first stage is the sensorimotor stage. This stage spans from birth until approximately two years of age. During this period, infants learn about the world primarily through their senses and motor actions. They explore their environment by looking, touching, sucking, and manipulating objects.

In the sensorimotor stage, children develop key concepts such as object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. This represents a critical cognitive milestone, as it indicates a significant shift in how infants perceive the world around them. The exploration of their surroundings lays the foundation for later cognitive development in subsequent stages.

The other stages of Piaget's cognitive development framework follow the sensorimotor stage and focus on different cognitive abilities and thought processes.