In this stage, infants and toddlers learn primarily through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. Their understanding of the world is based on physical interactions and experiences. A key characteristic of this stage is the development of object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched. Initially, infants act as if objects removed from their view cease to exist, but by the end of this stage, they start to search for hidden objects, demonstrating their grasp of object permanence. Motor skills also develop significantly during this stage. As infants interact with their environment, they learn to coordinate their sensory experiences (such as seeing and hearing) with physical, motor actions. This stage lays the foundation for further cognitive development, as it helps children understand the world around them through physical interaction and sensory exploration.
