In what stage do children learn object permanence?

Children learn object permanence during the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development, which occurs from birth to about 2 years of age. This critical developmental milestone refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. Infants begin to realize that objects they cannot see still exist, which is a foundational concept in their cognitive development. This understanding marks the beginning of their ability to form mental representations and deal with objects symbolically.

In the preoperational stage, which follows the sensorimotor stage, children begin to engage in symbolic play and are not yet able to perform operations that require logical thinking. The concrete operational stage, occurring from ages 7 to 11, focuses on logical reasoning based on concrete objects, and the formal operational stage, starting at around 12 years old, involves abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning. Recognizing object permanence is a key aspect of the sensorimotor stage that sets the stage for further cognitive development in subsequent stages.