What action typically indicates a child’s understanding of object permanence?

A child's understanding of object permanence is demonstrated by their ability to search for an object that has been hidden from view. This concept, which typically develops in infants around the age of 8 to 12 months, signifies that the child recognizes that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

When a child actively looks for a toy that has been concealed, it shows that they have formed a mental representation of the toy and understand that it is still present, despite being out of sight. This cognitive development is crucial for their overall understanding of the world and their interactions with it.

Other options present behaviors that do not indicate an understanding of object permanence. Ignoring sounds from outside generally reflects a child's selective attention or engagement level, rather than their cognitive understanding of objects. Playing alone with no engagement suggests a lack of social interaction, which is not directly related to cognitive skills like object permanence. Repeating words they hear is more aligned with language development rather than the understanding of objects' continued existence when not visible.