Have you ever played "Hang-in-the-Mouth" with your little one? When you do, you're actually helping them achieve a very important step in their brain development. That's understanding that things or people are still in the world, even if they can't see them with their own eyes. In medical terms, we call this 'Object Permanence.' This is a very important developmental milestone that a baby learns during the first year of their life.
Simply put, what is Object Permanence?
Object Permanence is, simply put, the ability to understand that an object or person is still there, even when we can't see it or hear it. Imagine that you took a baby's toy ball and hid it under a blanket. If the baby hasn't developed this ability of Object Permanence, he will think that the ball is no longer in this world. So he won't try to look for it.
But, as he gradually gains this ability, he knows that the ball is under the cloth. Then he removes the cloth and starts looking for the ball. This concept was first discovered by child psychologist Jean Piaget.
It is very important for a baby to acquire this ability, because it lays the foundation for many other abilities that will come in the future. For example:
- Pretend play: Playing as if feeding a doll.
- Memory development: Being able to remember something you have seen.
- Language development: Learning words and beginning to speak.
All of this requires the ability to create a mental representation of something that is not visible. This ability also helps them understand that the people they love, such as their mother and father , have not left them and will return in a while. This is very important for their emotional development and the formation of attachments .
When does a baby acquire this ability?
According to Jean Piaget's studies, babies begin to acquire this ability around 8 months of age. According to his stages of development, this is the main goal of the sensorimotor stage. During this period, babies learn through their five senses - that is, by seeing, touching, tasting, hearing, and moving.
However, recent research shows that some babies may begin to understand this ability even earlier, between 4 and 7 months of age . Typically, most babies develop this ability well before they are one year old.
Remember, this doesn't happen overnight. Your baby will learn this gradually. Some days he'll be eager to find the toys you're hiding, and other days he won't even notice. This is very normal.
Every baby is different. So don't worry if your baby is a little later than other babies in reaching this milestone. However, it's good to keep a close eye on these developmental milestones. Then, if there is any problem, you can identify it quickly. If you have any doubts or fears about your baby's development, never hesitate to talk to your pediatrician.
How can you help your baby develop this ability?
The best way to develop this ability is to play with your baby. Games and books that involve hiding something and bringing it back again are very helpful in this. Through games like this, your baby gradually learns that things will return even if they are out of sight for a while.
Here are some simple games you can play with your baby.
| Name of the game | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Peekaboo | Cover your face with your hands, then suddenly pull your hands away and say, "Boo!" When your baby learns this skill, he will laugh out loud when he sees you again. |
| Hiding in a cloth | Cover your head with a wet cloth, remove it again, and say "Boo!" When your baby is a little older, see if he can remove the cloth from your head himself. |
| Let's hide a toy. | Take a baby's toy and hide it behind you or behind something like a chair, then suddenly bring it back out. |
| Let's find toys. | While your baby is waiting, place a few pieces of cloth over his favorite toy. Then encourage him to find it. When your baby starts crawling, hide toys around the room and have him find them. |
| Pop-up toys and books | In these, a toy suddenly jumps up from a hidden object. There are also books where you can lift up parts of the book to reveal hidden pictures underneath. |
What happens after getting Object Permanence?
Watching your baby's joy when he finds a hidden toy is a beautiful experience. But as soon as he gains this ability, you will notice another difference. That is separation anxiety .
This is a very common developmental condition for babies and young children. During this time, they may become fearful, anxious, and cry when separated from their parents or caregivers.
This is because now the baby knows that you are there even though you are out of sight. So he feels sad and anxious when you are not around. This is temporary. Over time, you will be able to stay away for a while without the baby crying.
Is there a connection between Object Permanence and ADHD?
There is a popular belief that people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have problems with object permanence. That is, they forget that something is there when they are out of sight. However, there is not yet enough scientific evidence to confirm that these problems with object permanence contribute to the condition.
Take-Home Message
- Object permanence is a very important developmental milestone that develops within the first year of a baby's life.
- This means that the baby understands that people and things are still there, even if they are not visible to the eye.
- You can help your baby develop this ability with simple games like "Hanging Hands".
- As soon as this ability is acquired, the baby may experience "separation anxiety." This is normal.
- Every baby develops at their own pace. So don't worry unnecessarily about your baby. If you have any doubts, consult your pediatrician .
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