During which developmental stage do infants exhibit their learning through physical movements like mouthing objects?

Infants demonstrate their learning through physical movements, such as mouthing objects, during the sensorimotor stage. This stage, which occurs from birth to about 2 years of age, is characterized by the exploration of the environment through the senses and motor skills. As infants interact with objects by grasping, shaking, and mouthing, they gain insight into their properties and functions. This hands-on approach allows them to develop cognitive abilities, understanding cause and effect, and refining their motor control.

The other stages listed—concrete operational, preoperational, and formal operational—occur later in childhood and involve more complex cognitive processes, such as logical reasoning and abstract thinking, which are not typical of the infancy period. The sensorimotor stage is crucial for laying the foundation for these subsequent stages of cognitive development.