Final answer:
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. Piaget found that infants start to exhibit this awareness between 5 and 8 months old. This milestone is a key aspect of cognitive development during the early years of a child's life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of object permanence is a fundamental cognitive development phase according to psychologist Jean Piaget. It signifies the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are no longer visible or present to the senses. Piaget's studies showed that infants start to develop object permanence typically between 5 and 8 months old. Before reaching this milestone, children may act as if an object ceases to exist once it is out of sight. This understanding is crucial for the development of memory and the realization that the world is a permanent place, impacting a child's interaction with their environment.
Studies have also suggested that children as young as 3 months may have some understanding of object concepts, challenging Piaget's initial claims that object understanding develops solely from interaction with the world. As children reach the sensorimotor stage, they begin to engage in behaviors such as searching for objects that have been hidden, indicating their growing awareness of object permanence and setting the stage for future cognitive development.