Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Practice Exam

Babies typically develop object permanence around 9 months of age. Object permanence is the cognitive ability to understand that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or otherwise perceived. Prior to this age, infants may react as if an object that has been hidden has completely disappeared.

At around 6 months, infants may show some understanding of object permanence but are not fully cognizant of it. By 9 months, many babies will begin to search for toys that are hidden under a blanket, indicating they are starting to comprehend that the object still exists, even though they cannot see it. This milestone is significant as it marks an important development in cognitive ability, allowing infants to form a more complex understanding of their environment.

By 12 months and 18 months, object permanence is typically well established, with children exhibiting more sophisticated behaviors related to searching for hidden objects and understanding more about their surroundings. However, the foundational understanding of object permanence generally emerges around the 9-month mark.