What is an infant most likely to do with a new toy?

Infants explore their environment using their senses, and mouthing new objects is a common behavior among them. When presented with a new toy, an infant is likely to bring it to their mouth to gain sensory information. This action helps them understand the texture, taste, and overall characteristics of the toy, which are crucial for their cognitive and sensory development. Mouthing allows infants to engage with the toy in an instinctual way, contributing to their learning about the world around them.

Other behaviors, like throwing away or ignoring the toy, do not typically reflect the natural curiosity and exploratory behavior seen in infants. Using a toy strictly as a tool suggests a higher level of cognitive processing that is more characteristic of older children who can purposefully manipulate objects to achieve specific goals.