Object Permanence in Sensori-Motor Stage

Object permanence refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not directly perceived through sight, hearing, or touch.

Cognitive Development Stages

According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, object permanence is a critical milestone achieved during the first stage:

• Sensori-motor Stage (Birth to approx. 2 years): This is the stage where infants learn about the world through their senses and motor actions. They gradually develop object permanence during this period. Initially, if an object is hidden, the infant acts as if it no longer exists. By the end of this stage, they understand that hidden objects still exist and will search for them.
• Preoperational Stage (Approx. 2 to 7 years): Children in this stage have already acquired object permanence and begin to use symbols and language.
• Concrete Operational Stage (Approx. 7 to 11 years): Logical thinking develops regarding concrete events.
• Formal Operational Stage (Approx. 11 years and up): Abstract and hypothetical thinking becomes possible.

Therefore, the phenomenon of object permanence occurs in the Sensori - Motor stage.