Hide and reveal games
6–12 monthsSuccess MindsetMaterials: Soft blanket or cloth, favorite toy
Take a favorite toy and partially hide it under a blanket while your child watches. Encourage them to reach for it and pull the blanket away. As they get better at this, fully cover the toy and see if they remember it is there. You can also play peek-a-boo with your hands or a cloth. These simple games help your child understand that objects still exist even when they cannot see them.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Take a favorite toy and partially hide it under a blanket while your child watches. Encourage them to reach for it and pull the blanket away. As they get better at this, fully cover the toy and see if they remember it is there. You can also play peek-a-boo with your hands or a cloth. These simple games help your child understand that objects still exist even when they cannot see them.
Why It Works
Object permanence is a critical cognitive milestone that develops between six and 12 months. Understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight is a foundational problem-solving skill. Early cognitive skills like attention control and working memory predict growth in emergent literacy and numeracy, and make unique contributions to kindergarten achievement (Welsh et al., 2010). These early problem-solving experiences build the cognitive abilities that correlate with later academic success and intelligence.
Tips for Parents
Start with partially hiding the toy so your child can see part of it. This makes the game easier at first.
Celebrate when your child finds the hidden object. Your positive response encourages their problem-solving efforts.
Materials Needed
Soft blanket or cloth, favorite toy
Learning Methods
Sensory ExplorationResponsive InteractionMovement-Based Learning
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