Object Permanence Games for Children

Peek-a-Boo

• Jean Piaget, a psychologist who studied cognitive development, used peek-a-boo games to test object permanence in children. Peek-a-Boo is one of the simplest object permanence games a baby can play. This game can be played much earlier than 8 months, as it serves as a precursor to object permanence and is easy and free to do. Babies will keep their serious face on at first, but will soon begin to laugh and squeal with delight every time you reappear.

Object Permanence Box

• The Montessori teaching method encourages free play and exploration. A special Montessori box and drawer kit can help your child discover object permanence, advises the North American Montessori Center. Place a ball through a hole in the top of the box to make it "disappear." Show your baby how to open the drawer to rediscover the ball. This game is designed for either interactive play between adult and baby or independent child play.

Hide and Seek

• While your baby does not yet have the verbal and physical coordination to play a real round of hide and seek, you can get him acquainted with the game and improve object permanence development by playing the game with small toys and a blanket. Hide his favorite toy or stuffed animal under a blanket, and show him that the toy is hiding underneath. As he develops, he will begin to pull the blanket off independently, and be delighted when the toy is still there.

Important Components of Object Permanence Games

• Playing object permanence games with your children may help reduce separation anxiety when they reach that pivotal age of 8 to 9 months. Playing these games, while also giving short, affirmative and loving good-byes when leaving them at daycare or a church nursery, can help them grasp the concept early on that you can and will return. The important components to be found in any object permanence game are "appearing and disappearing," "seeking" and "revealing" objects. These games also encourage babies to actively explore the world around them -- so don't be surprised if you begin to see them initiating these games on their own.