Florida DCF Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practices 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Experiential learning through senses is crucial for toddlers during the Sensorimotor stage as defined by Jean Piaget. This stage, which spans from birth to around two years of age, emphasizes the importance of exploration and interaction with the environment. During this period, toddlers learn primarily through their senses and motor actions, engaging with the world around them to build understanding.

As they touch, taste, see, hear, and move, toddlers begin to form concepts based on their direct experiences. This hands-on exploration fosters cognitive development, as they learn about object permanence, cause and effect, and problem-solving. Through sensory experiences, they gain knowledge about their surroundings and how they can manipulate objects and respond to stimuli.

The other aspects mentioned, such as emotional security, communication skills, and social interactions, while also significant in overall development, are secondary to the foundational sensory exploration intrinsic to the Sensorimotor stage. This is a time when infants and toddlers are wired to learn through doing, making experiential learning the bedrock of their cognitive and physical development during this critical period.