Permanence
How Permanence Is Scored on the AbilityScore
Permanence on the AbilityScore is read through your toddler's play and reactions — searching for hidden objects, enjoying peek-a-boo, remembering where things and people are — alongside a warm conversation about everyday life. It is a clinician-administered structured assessment that shows where your child stands against their own baseline, never a pass-or-fail number, and only a Pinnacle clinician can confirm what it means.
Object permanence is one of the loveliest leaps your toddler makes — knowing that you, and a hidden toy, still exist even when out of sight.
In short
Permanence on the AbilityScore® is read through your toddler's play and reactions, not through any single test or number. A qualified Pinnacle clinician gently observes whether your child searches for a hidden object, anticipates a peek-a-boo return, and remembers where things and people are — and pairs this with a warm conversation about everyday moments at home. The result is a clear picture of where your child stands against their own baseline, never a pass-or-fail mark.How permanence is observed
For a toddler (roughly 12–36 months), object and person permanence is the cognitive understanding that things continue to exist when hidden. A clinician watches for it through real, playful moments:- Searching — does your child look for a toy hidden under a cloth or behind a hand?
- Anticipation — do they enjoy peek-a-boo and expect a face to reappear?
- Person permanence — do they recall that you exist and return after stepping away, settling more easily over time?
- Memory in play — do they remember where a favourite object was last placed?
This is gathered calmly across play and parent conversation, so the picture reflects your child's true, relaxed ability — not one rushed sitting. The structured AbilityScore® process turns these careful observations into a practical, strengths-first plan.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from an online figure or checklist. Our AbilityScore® is a clinician-administered structured assessment, backed by 2.5 billion+ data points and 25 million+ therapy sessions across 70+ centres. Learn more about Permanence, explore special education support, and read what the AbilityScore is and how it's calculated.Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 framework for mental functions (ICF b1); CDC and HealthyChildren (AAP) guidance on cognitive milestones in toddlers.Next step — Book an AbilityScore assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, caring read of your toddler's thinking and memory.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
By around 12–18 months most toddlers will actively search for a fully hidden toy and enjoy peek-a-boo. If your child consistently shows no interest in finding hidden objects, doesn't anticipate a face returning, or seems unsettled when you step away with no sense that you'll return, a gentle developmental check can help.
Try this at home
Play hide-and-seek with a favourite toy under a cloth, then encourage your toddler to find it — and play peek-a-boo often. These simple, joyful games build and reveal object permanence every day.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Is Permanence given a number or score I'll see?
It isn't a pass-or-fail mark. A clinician observes your toddler's play and reactions and builds a picture against your child's own baseline, then turns it into a practical plan — not a frightening figure.
At what age should my toddler show object permanence?
Many toddlers actively search for fully hidden objects and enjoy peek-a-boo by around 12–18 months, with understanding deepening through the toddler years. Every child has their own pace.
Can I assess permanence at home myself?
You can gently observe it through hide-a-toy games and peek-a-boo, but only a qualified Pinnacle clinician can form a clinical AbilityScore® and confirm what your observations mean.