Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children identify and use common shapes and concepts about position during play and other activities.

Skill Progression: Spatial understanding

Age: 6-8 Months

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This is a classic Piagetian test of object permanence: Have two cloths or small blankets available along with a small toy the child likes.

During play with the child take an object the child shows interest in and hide it under a blanket. Observe whether the child lifts the blanket to find the object. Then lay another blanket next to the first one. Hide the toy under the first blanket, and continue moving it until it is under the second blanket. See where the child searches.

The infant will search for the object under the first blanket, then under the second blanket. He remembers the object and knows it should be there, so keeps searching under the second blanket.

Impress upon early childhood educators and parents that the infant’s memory is growing for objects, people and locations. Children will now track object movements and try to find them. It is also important for infants to see the world from many perspectives, in sitting, lying on back or stomach, etc. Children learn about space and objects in space by encountering them from different perspectives.