According to Jean Piaget, which stage of cognitive development is demonstrated when a baby seeks a hidden toy?

The correct answer is the Sensorimotor stage, which is the first stage in Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. This stage occurs from birth to approximately 2 years of age and is characterized by infants learning about the world through their senses and actions. During the Sensorimotor stage, children explore their surroundings, learn to manipulate objects, and develop object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible.

When a baby seeks a hidden toy, it demonstrates their developing understanding of object permanence. Prior to this development, if a toy is hidden, the baby may not even search for it since they do not yet comprehend that the object still exists out of sight. The ability to search for and find a hidden toy is a clear indication that the infant is actively engaging with their environment and starting to form mental representations, which are foundational aspects of cognitive development during this stage.