When do babies start to develop object permanence

During the first few months of a baby’s life, only what he or she can see with his or her eyes exists; meaning everything that is left outside his or her field of vision ceases to exist. But from the age of four months, he or she begins to understand, very slowly and progressively, that not seeing an object does not mean that it has ceased to exist but is simply not within reach of sight. This ability, fundamental to understanding the world around us and relating to it, is called “object permanence”, and the baby will develop it during the first two years of life. The Swiss psychologist, biologist, and researcher Jean Piaget was the first to study object permanence in infants and children. Piaget’s approach was to observe children’s reactions when presented with a toy and then hiding it under a blanket. According to Piaget, babies who had begun to develop the understanding of object permanence would try to grab the blanket to discover the toy, while those who had not yet developed it would be confused at what happened.

The Stages of Developing Object Permanence

Birth to Four Months: The World Through Senses

During the first four months, babies relate to their environment through the senses and primitive reflexes. Everything the baby cannot see, smell, or feel does not exist. At this stage, a baby’s understanding of the world is limited to what is directly in front of them. For example, if a parent hides a toy under a cloth, the baby does not search for it because, in their mind, it no longer exists.

Four to Eight Months: Emerging Awareness

From four to eight months, babies begin to develop object permanence, but in a very subtle way. According to Piaget, while the object is in the baby’s visual field, he or she will follow it with his or her gaze and try to reach it, as they have acquired enough dexterity to coordinate hand-eye movements. However, if before their eyes we hide the object under a handkerchief, the baby will believe that it has simply disappeared and will do nothing to recover it.

Practical Tip: Play Peekaboo

Playing peekaboo is not just a fun game but a valuable learning tool at this stage. When you hide your face behind your hands and then reveal it, babies learn that even though something disappears, it can come back again. This simple game lays the groundwork for understanding object permanence.

Eight to 12 Months: Increased Understanding

From eight to 12 months, the baby already fully understands that objects exist even if they disappear from sight, but he or she still does not have enough ability to look for them when we hide them, unless we always do so in the same place or hide it before their eyes.

Case Study: Consistent Hiding Spots

A parent consistently hides a favorite toy under a specific cushion. Initially, the baby might not look for it, but over time, they start checking under the cushion, showing an emerging recognition that the object exists even when out of sight.

12 to 18 Months: Active Searching

From 12 to 18 months, the baby is able to find any object we hide within his or her field of view, searching the hiding places we have used other times. However, if out of his sight we hide the object in a new place, he or she will not think of looking for it there, because they have not yet acquired the inner representation of the object to imagine it hidden anywhere else.

Practical Tip: Encourage Problem Solving

At this stage, encourage your child to solve simple problems by hiding toys in slightly different places. This can be a fun way to help them develop cognitive skills and understand that objects can be hidden in various locations.

18 to 24 Months: Mastery of Object Permanence

From 18 to 24 months, the baby already understands that we can hide the object anywhere, even if he or she did not see us. This happens because the child is already able to mentally represent the object and imagine it anywhere.

Example: Playing Hide and Seek with Toys

Introduce more complex hide-and-seek games with toys. Hide a toy in a different room and encourage your child to look for it. This helps them practice their newfound understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight.

Beyond Piaget: Modern Perspectives

Piaget’s theory has been much discussed over the years, as there are researchers who consider that object permanence is acquired by the baby much earlier. To this day there is no scientific consensus on when exactly children acquire this skill.

Alternative Theories

Some contemporary studies suggest that aspects of object permanence begin even earlier, possibly as soon as three months. Researchers using modern technology, like eye-tracking systems, have observed that infants may show surprise when an object disappears, indicating some understanding of object permanence.

Insight: The Role of Context and Experience

The environment and experiences a child is exposed to can significantly impact the development of object permanence. For instance, children who engage more frequently in interactive play may develop this understanding sooner than those who have less stimulation.

The Importance of Object Permanence

What is clear is that the baby’s acquisition of “object permanence” is a very important step for his or her development because thanks to this, he or she begins to understand that objects and people have an independent and permanent existence. This understanding is crucial as it lays the foundation for more complex cognitive processes.

Connection to Separation Anxiety

The acquisition of object permanence is closely related to the separation distress developed by babies around the eighth month of life. At the moment the babies begin to understand that their attachment figures are independent people with an existence of their own, losing sight of them will deeply distress them. Although they understand that their caregivers have not vanished, they are not yet able to comprehend when they will return or if they have been abandoned.

Practical Advice: Managing Separation Anxiety

To help manage separation anxiety, create predictable routines. When leaving your baby, always say goodbye calmly and explain that you will return. This consistency helps reinforce the idea that separations are temporary.

Encouraging Object Permanence Through Play

Although object permanence is a natural skill that babies develop on their own over time, as with other skills such as spatial orientation or assimilation of the concept ‘time’, parents can encourage it through play.

Games and Toys

• Peekaboo Variations: Use different objects or your hands to create peekaboo games that evolve as your child grows.
• Montessori’s Permanence Boxes: These are a fantastic resource for the child to begin to understand that the things put in the box do not disappear even if they are not visible.
• Hide-and-Seek with Toys: Gradually increase the complexity of hiding places as your child becomes more adept at finding hidden objects.

Creating an Enriching Environment

Provide an environment with a variety of textures, colors, and sounds. This not only stimulates sensory development but also encourages exploration, which is key to understanding object permanence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcomplicating Early Games: For younger babies, keep games simple. Too much complexity can lead to frustration rather than learning.
• Inconsistency: Regular, consistent play is more beneficial than sporadic sessions. Routine helps reinforce learning.
• Neglecting Emotional Cues: Be mindful of your baby’s emotional responses. If they seem distressed, simplify the activity or try again later.

Real-Life Applications of Object Permanence

Understanding object permanence is not just a developmental milestone; it’s a skill that continues to play a role throughout life. It helps children understand the world around them, contributing to their ability to engage in imaginative play, solve problems, and develop social relationships.

Case Study: Early Childhood Education

In early childhood education, activities that enhance object permanence are often integrated into curriculum designs. Educators use a variety of tools and methods, such as storytelling with hidden objects or interactive games, to reinforce this concept.

Long-Term Impact

As children grow, the understanding of object permanence aids in the development of memory and attention. These skills are foundational for academic learning and social interaction.

Concluding Thoughts

While every child develops at their own pace, understanding the typical progression of object permanence can help parents and caregivers support their child’s cognitive growth. Through a combination of observation, play, and interaction, children can be guided through this important developmental stage.