Which sequence correctly lists the four stages of cognitive development (CT) with their approximate ages?

• A. Sensorimotor: 0-2; Preoperational: 2-7; Concrete Operational: 7-11; Formal Operational: 11+
• B. Concrete Operational: 0-2; Sensorimotor: 2-5; Preoperational: 5-11; Formal: 11-15
• C. Sensorimotor: 5-7; Preoperational: 7-11; Concrete Operational: 11-15; Formal: 15+
• D. Formal Operational: 0-2; Sensorimotor: 2-7; Preoperational: 7-11; Concrete Operational: 11+

Answer: (A)

Understanding how thinking develops in children helps here. In the sensorimotor stage (birth to about 2 years), infants learn through physical interaction with the world and begin to grasp object permanence. In the preoperational stage (roughly 2–7 years), children use symbols and language but think in a mostly intuitive and egocentric way, with limited logical operations. In the concrete operational stage (around 7–11 years), they start to think logically about concrete objects and events. In the formal operational stage (11 years and up), they develop abstract, hypothetical, and systematic thinking. The sequence that matches this progression and these approximate ages is sensorimotor 0–2, preoperational 2–7, concrete operational 7–11, formal operational 11+. Other sequences misplace stages or assign ages that don’t fit the observed developmental order.