Why looking for a dropped object is a big step for your baby

When your baby drops a toy, then drops it again, and again – it might not feel that amazing to you. But, dropping a toy and looking to see where it has gone is a big step in their development. To help when you are picking up that rattle for the thousandth time, we wanted to tell you why!  

Your baby’s interest in objects has been growing as their physical skills develop, and they've been able to hold and explore more things. Until now, they might have seemed to completely forget an object existed when it was out of sight, but they are starting to show the first signs of understanding that objects continue to exist when they cannot see them.  

When they look for a dropped object, your baby is showing that they are developing their understanding that: 

• Objects exist and keep the same physical properties even when you can't see them.
• Objects fall to the ground when dropped and some objects make a loud noise when they land.
• People will respond to the objects falling and will pick them up and give them back when they are dropped, helping to develop an understanding of turn-taking and making their first games! 
• People might want to stop playing – this understanding will take a long time to develop, as your baby doesn't yet know that other people have different thoughts and ideas.