Final answer:
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not perceived, which is a crucial part of cognitive development beginning as early as 8 months old.
Step-by-step explanation:
Object permanence is the psychological concept that refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or otherwise sensed. Jean Piaget, an early developmental psychologist, conducted research demonstrating that very young children, in particular, those in the sensorimotor stage (from birth to about 2 years old), do not naturally possess object permanence. This means that when an object is out of sight, such as hidden behind a curtain, these young children behave as if it no longer exists. However, typically by the age of 8 months, children start to develop this key cognitive skill, signaling a fundamental shift in their understanding of the world.
Object permanence is crucial for cognitive development because it forms the basis for understanding the continued existence of entities and people, aiding in memory development and the anticipation of the permanence of objects and individuals in our environment. This concept also leads children to enjoy games like hide and seek and understand that people who leave a room will eventually return. Without this concept, our perception of the world would lack continuity and stability.