Piaget’s Six Substages of Sensorimotor

1. Random and Reflex Action (0-1 month)

Active exercise of inborn reflexes.

2. Primary Circular Reactions (1-4 months)

Repetition of interesting acts on child’s body (sucking a thumb)

3. Secondary Circular Reactions (4-8 months)

Repetition of acts on objects (shaking a rattle for the noise)

4. Coordination of Secondary Schemes (8-12 months)

Combination of actions to solve simple problems (object permanence)

5. Tertiary Circular Reactions (12- 18 months)

Find new ways to solve problems (exploring bath water by hitting it gently, then soft)

6. Invention of New Means through Mental Combinations (18 months – 2yrs.)

Solve problems mentally, using symbols to stand for objects (moving an out-of-reach toy closer)