American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test

What is the first stage of Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development?

1. Preoperational stage

2. Sensorimotor stage

3. Concrete operational stage

4. Formal operational stage

The correct answer is: Sensorimotor stage

The first stage of Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development is the Sensorimotor stage. This stage spans from birth to approximately 2 years of age, during which infants learn about the world primarily through their senses and actions. They explore their environment through looking, touching, and manipulating objects, which helps them develop their understanding of the world around them. During this stage, infants develop key cognitive skills such as object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. This represents a fundamental shift in cognitive development, as it lays the groundwork for later stages of thinking. In essence, the Sensorimotor stage forms the foundation for all future cognitive development, making it a crucial period in Piaget's framework. In contrast, the other stages listed in the options — Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational stages — occur later in a child's development, each building on the knowledge and abilities acquired in the Sensorimotor stage.