What stage in Piaget's theory occurs from birth to about 2 years of age?

The correct answer is indeed the sensorimotor stage. In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, this stage spans from birth to approximately 2 years of age. During the sensorimotor stage, infants learn about the world primarily through their senses and actions. They explore their environment by touching, looking, and manipulating objects, which helps them develop basic concepts of physical reality.

In this stage, children also begin to understand the concept of object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be observed. This cognitive milestone marks a significant transition in their understanding of the world, as it indicates that they have developed a more complex mental life than simply reacting to what they see and hear.

Throughout the sensorimotor stage, children engage in various activities that allow them to experiment and learn cause-and-effect relationships. This foundational stage sets the groundwork for later cognitive development, with the preoperational stage following shortly after, where symbolic thought begins to emerge. Therefore, recognizing the sensorimotor stage is crucial to understanding the overall progression of cognitive development in children.