Object Permanence
Object permanence is when knowing an object still exists, even if it's hidden. "If you place a toy under a blanket, the child who has achieved object permanence knows it is there and can actively seek it" (Mcleod, 2010). It is believed by 8 months old "infants will come to understand that objects you hide or take away will come back because they still exist" (Mathews). To have a better understanding of object permanence one should be reminded of some of the developmental milestones from birth to 24 months.
Substages of the Sensorimotor Stage:
The sensorimotor stage can be divided into six separate substages that are characterized by the development of a new skill.
* Reflexes (0-1 month): During this substage, the child understands the environment purely through inborn reflexes such as sucking and looking.
* Primary Circular Reactions (1-4 months): This substage involves coordinating sensation and new schemas. For example, a child may suck his or her thumb by accident and then later intentionally repeat the action.
* Secondary Circular Reactions (4-8 months): During this substage, the child becomes more focused on the world and begins to intentionally repeat an action in order to trigger a response in the environment.
* Coordination of Reactions (8-12 months): During this substage, the child starts to show clearly intentional actions. The child may also combine schemas in order to achieve a desired effect.
* Tertiary Circular Reactions (12-18 months): Children begin a period of trial-and-error experimentation during the fifth substage. Early
* Representational Thought (18-24 months): Children begin to develop symbols to represent events or objects in the world in the final sensorimotor substage. During this time, children begin to move towards understanding the world through mental operations rather than purely through actions.
* Reflexes (0-1 month): During this substage, the child understands the environment purely through inborn reflexes such as sucking and looking.
* Primary Circular Reactions (1-4 months): This substage involves coordinating sensation and new schemas. For example, a child may suck his or her thumb by accident and then later intentionally repeat the action.
* Secondary Circular Reactions (4-8 months): During this substage, the child becomes more focused on the world and begins to intentionally repeat an action in order to trigger a response in the environment.
* Coordination of Reactions (8-12 months): During this substage, the child starts to show clearly intentional actions. The child may also combine schemas in order to achieve a desired effect.
* Tertiary Circular Reactions (12-18 months): Children begin a period of trial-and-error experimentation during the fifth substage. Early
* Representational Thought (18-24 months): Children begin to develop symbols to represent events or objects in the world in the final sensorimotor substage. During this time, children begin to move towards understanding the world through mental operations rather than purely through actions.