Modern cognitive neuroscience bridges Piagetian observations with neurological maturation. Sensorimotor development relies heavily on the myelination of pyramidal tracts, cerebellar growth for motor coordination, and synaptic proliferation followed by pruning in the prefrontal cortex and sensory cortices. Renee Baillargeon's violation-of-expectation experiments revealed that infants possess object permanence much earlier than Piaget suggested (around 3.5 months), challenging strict stage-bound cognitive limitations through preferential looking paradigms.
Reflexive integration and sensory processing are further understood through A. Jean Ayres' Sensory Integration Theory, which highlights how the central nervous system processes vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile inputs to produce adaptive motor behaviors.