Object Permanence in Jean Piagets Cognitive Development among Children - Essay Example

 Object Permanence in Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development among Children Object permanence is among the sensorimotor accomplishment during infancy period in Jean Piaget’s cognitive development among children. The tenet of this concept provides an infant an understanding that not only himself is existing in his environment but others too are. Object permanence is known to be experienced by the infant if he gives existence to the object he has interest with. According to Jean Piaget, object permanence follows certain stages with their own competencies. The first sensorimotor stage is demonstrated when the child has no interest in looking at the spot or place where the presented object disappeared. As the child grows older, he displays the second stage where in when given the same experience, the child looks at the spot where the object disappeared however has no interest to check it. Subsequent stages develop with the ability of the child to examine the spot where the object disappeared. The child tries to explore going to such spot or place. The signal of object permanence becomes apparent when the child actively searches for the lost object to the spot where it disappeared. For instance, when an object of his interest is hidden behind a curtain, it is likely that he will shove aside the curtain to find for the disappeared object. In a situation where in the curtain is not moved, the child find ways and means to find for the object as reflected in the child’s determination to kick aside or go around the obstacle just to check if the object is still there. This demonstrates that to a child, the lost object continues to exist. The successive action of the child to track down the object indicates a more refined thought of object permanence (Santrock & Yussesn, 94). The topic object permanence was chosen because I was curious why children about two years old demonstrate similar reactions when object is presented and lost from their sight. During one of my rendezvous in the children’s park, I always see children with toys trying to locate them when somebody tries to hide it from them. My initial observation provided me with the insight it would be interesting to observe a child with the same age bracket and to compare the observed behavior or reaction from the concept of Jean Piaget. In one occasion, I saw a child trying her best to find his shoe where he last saw it while another younger child I witnessed did not give much attention to where his rattle disappeared although appear to be curios where his rattle went. This provided me the excitement to choose the topic. The observation took place on the playground one morning of December 10, 2011. The selected subject was a two years old boy accompanied by her mother for a play on the play ground. The collection of the data took about 30 minutes of pure observation without me interacting with neither the child nor the mother. I situated myself in one corner approximately 10 meters away from my subject. The subject was not known to me but I was interested with him because his age suits the age range of Piaget where object competence is applicable. Summary of Observation The child and mother arrived earlier on the playground. I saw them on the play area. On observation, although, the child seems to stick with his mother, it is obvious he was curios with the activities of other children in his surroundings. This was reflected in the child’s unabashed looks with what others are doing particularly his same age. At first, he seems not willing to leave his mother to join other children who are playing. With this, the mother brought out a truck toy they brought along with them for him to start playing. Because he is the only child with such toy, two children started to establish their rapport with him. As they get along playing, the older child tried to hide his truck toy behind his back with the child witnessing it. Observation has it that the child tried to push the older playmate away to locate for his toy truck. This action demonstrates the child believes that the missing toy truck continue to exists but only disappeared temporarily. The older playmate repeatedly hid the toy truck in different places such as at the back of a tree however the child was able to successfully to find it. In another attempt, the older playmate tried to hide the toy out of the sight of the child. Observation reveals that the child tried to find the toy in places where he successfully found it. Sensing, the toy was not in places where it was hidden earlier, the child tried to consider other possible places. This observed reaction suggests that the child is in the last stage of sensorimotor of object permanence. The child’s determination to find the missing object is guided with his imagination the image could be located in places where they earlier appeared. The summarized observation is very much related to the topic selected. It is a perfect fit as it describes two of Jean Piaget’s last stages of sensorimotor. For instance, the child’s consistent going back and forth to places where his toy truck was hidden and was found is a proof that the child is demonstrating his knowledge the toy will be found in the same places if it tends to disappear. This is the concept of object permanence. Without which would suggest the child will not be able to perceive and understand the appearance and disappearance of objects. Furthermore, the child would not be able to solve his own problem at his stage if he cannot be able to demonstrate Piaget’s competencies commensurate with the child’s age. Sources Cited Santrock, John, & Yussen, Steven., Children and adolescents: A developmental perspective. (1984). Brown publishers. Dubuque. Iowa. Read More