Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Practice Exam

In the sensorimotor stage of development, which spans from birth to about two years of age, infants primarily learn through their senses and motor actions. Between the ages of 8 to 12 months, infants begin to demonstrate the ability to imitate observed behaviors. This is a significant milestone in their cognitive development, as it indicates a growing understanding of the world around them and the ability to replicate actions they see performed by others.

This capacity to imitate is essential for learning and social interaction, as it enables infants to understand cultural norms and communication through non-verbal means. They will often mimic simple actions, such as clapping hands or making sounds, which showcases their developing cognitive and motor skills.

In contrast, while repetition of random actions, abstract thinking, and fine motor skills development are relevant to infant development, they do not specifically describe the notable behavior that characterizes the 8 to 12-month timeframe within the sensorimotor stage. Repetition of actions tends to occur earlier, abstract thinking does not emerge until later stages, and while fine motor skills are developing, they are usually not the primary focus of this particular age range.