cognitive development
type: Concept
narrower: object permanence

concepts
type: Collection
type: ConceptGroup
member: object permanence

fundamental concepts
type: Concept
narrower: object permanence

object permanence
type: Concept
broader: fundamental concepts
broader: cognitive development
definition: Object permanence refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist in their absence; that is, objects continue to exist as if “they are permanent” even though they may be out of sight. Jean Piaget discussed this concept within his stage theory of cognitive development, which contains four stages: sensorimotor thinking (0–2 years of age); preoperational thinking (2–7 years of age); concrete operational thinking (7–11 years of age); and formal operational thinking (11 years and older). [Source: Encyclopedia of Human Development; Object Permanence]