Object permanence is the concept that things exist even when we can’t see them. Your child is starting to understand this idea when things are partially hidden.

Seeing something covered up and immediately revealed helps your child learn about object permanence.

Understanding object permanence will help your child understand that symbols, including words, can represent objects that aren’t present.

Today’s activity: When your child is paying attention to a toy, put it into a box. Close the box then open it again to make the toy magically appear. Make this a turn-taking game by encouraging your child to take the toy out. Use a word like “all gone” or “open” as you play.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, contact me at [email protected] and I’ll track down someone for you.