At what age range does the sensory-motor phase occur?

The sensory-motor phase occurs from birth to 2 years of age. This stage is a fundamental period in a child's cognitive development according to Jean Piaget's theory. During these early years, infants and toddlers explore their environment primarily through their senses and motor activities. They learn about the world around them by interacting with objects, people, and their surroundings, forming the foundation for further cognitive development.

In this phase, children develop crucial skills such as object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. They also learn to coordinate their movements and begin to understand cause and effect. This developmental stage is critical as it shapes a child’s future learning and understanding of more complex concepts.

The other age ranges listed do not correspond to the sensory-motor phase. The periods mentioned in the other options fall outside the defined parameters of this initial cognitive stage and instead correlate with subsequent developmental phases where children begin to engage more in symbolic thought and language development.