In Piaget's sensorimotor stage, which milestone is typical?

In Piaget's sensorimotor stage, which milestone is typical?

• A. Symbolic play
• B. Abstract reasoning
• C. Object permanence
• D. Conservation

Answer: (C)

This item tests object permanence within Piaget's sensorimotor stage. Infants in this stage gradually develop the ability to form mental representations, and the milestone typically appears around 8 to 12 months: they understand that objects exist even when they are not in sight. A classic demonstration is when a toy is hidden under a blanket and the infant actively searches for it, showing anticipation or retrieval, rather than acting as if the toy has ceased to exist. Earlier in the sensorimotor period, infants may not search, suggesting they don’t yet grasp that hidden objects persist. Other milestones reflect later developments. Symbolic or pretend play arises in the preoperational stage, as children begin to use imagination and represent objects with symbols. Abstract reasoning and the concept of conservation emerge much later—abstract reasoning in formal operational thought, and conservation during the concrete operational stage when children understand that quantity remains the same despite changes in form or appearance.

This item tests object permanence within Piaget's sensorimotor stage. Infants in this stage gradually develop the ability to form mental representations, and the milestone typically appears around 8 to 12 months: they understand that objects exist even when they are not in sight. A classic demonstration is when a toy is hidden under a blanket and the infant actively searches for it, showing anticipation or retrieval, rather than acting as if the toy has ceased to exist. Earlier in the sensorimotor period, infants may not search, suggesting they don’t yet grasp that hidden objects persist.

Other milestones reflect later developments. Symbolic or pretend play arises in the preoperational stage, as children begin to use imagination and represent objects with symbols. Abstract reasoning and the concept of conservation emerge much later—abstract reasoning in formal operational thought, and conservation during the concrete operational stage when children understand that quantity remains the same despite changes in form or appearance.