What is the difference between object permanence and representational thought?

 Object permanence and representational thought are two different cognitive abilities that develop in children.

Object Permanence is a concept developed in the sensorimotor stage of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This concept entails the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched. Infants typically develop this understanding between the ages of 7 and 9 months. Before developing object permanence, a child may believe that when an object is hidden from sight, it ceases to exist. However, once a child has acquired object permanence, they understand that the object is merely out of view and still exists.

Representational Thought, on the other hand, refers to the ability to hold an image or idea in one's mind and to use symbols, words, or objects to represent something that is not physically present. This cognitive ability allows individuals to think about the past and the future, make-believe, and problem-solve by using mental representations rather than just responding to the immediate environment. Representational thought is associated with the preoperational stage of Piaget's theory and typically develops in children between the ages of 2 and 7 years.

In summary, while object permanence is about understanding the continued existence of an object even when it's out of sight, representational thought involves the use of symbols and mental images to represent objects, events, or concepts that are not physically present.