Piaget’s Sensorimotor Substages

Substage 1: Reflexes - Newborns can only use their reflexes, such as sucking and grasping, to explore. This substage is usually from birth to one month.

Substage 2: Primary Circular Reactions - Now the infant learns through enjoyable random movements to move her or his body voluntarily. For example, a baby now sucks her hand purposefully after doing it by chance. Sensations and schemas are now becoming coordinated. One to four months.

Substage 3: Secondary Circular Reactions - The baby becomes more intentional and will repeat actions in response to environmental cues. For example, an infant will pick up an object to mouth purposefully, or repeat an action that receives positive attention. Four to eight months.

Substage 4: Coordination of Reactions - Infants can combine and coordinate different schema to expand explorations. Now behavior is usually intentional (or goal directed). For example, a curious infant can try mouthing, banging, shaking, and more to explore a new object. With familiar items, babies may now know their purpose (piano to bang, bell to shake, etc.). Children’s actions are purposeful and they intentionally imitate behaviors now. Eight to twelve months.

Substage 5: Tertiary Circular Reaction.

Substage 6: Mental Recognition - These substages occur from one to two years and will be discussed in the next chapter on toddlers.