Question

in which substage of sensorimotor development would a toddler start to experiment using trial and error?

a.) substage 5
b.) substage 1
c.) substage 2
d.) substage 3

Explanation:

Identify the core developmental milestone

The question asks for the sensorimotor substage where a toddler begins to experiment using trial and error. This active, goal-directed experimentation is a hallmark of Piagets Theory of Cognitive Development.

Analyze the sensorimotor substages

Jean Piaget divided the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years) into six distinct substages:

• Substage 1 (Simple Reflexes, 0–1 month): Characterized by basic automatic reflexes (e.g., sucking).
• Substage 2 (First Habits and Primary Circular Reactions, 1–4 months): Focuses on repeating pleasurable actions centered on the infant's own body.
• Substage 3 (Secondary Circular Reactions, 4–8 months): Focuses on repeating actions that produce interesting effects in the environment.
• Substage 4 (Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions, 8–12 months): Intentional, goal-directed behavior begins, combining schemas to solve simple problems.
• Substage 5 (Tertiary Circular Reactions, Novelty, and Curiosity, 12–18 months): Toddlers become active experimenters, deliberately varying actions to see what happens. This is the stage of active trial-and-error exploration.
• Substage 6 (Internalization of Schemas/Mental Representation, 18–24 months): Toddlers develop mental representations and can solve problems cognitively rather than purely through physical trial and error.

Match the milestone to the correct substage

Active experimentation using trial and error is the defining feature of Substage 5 (Tertiary Circular Reactions). Therefore, the correct option is (a).

Answer:

• a.) Substage 5 (Correct answer)
• b.) Substage 1
• c.) Substage 2
• d.) Substage 3