Pediatric ATI Practice Exam 2026 – All-In-One Prep Resource

Playing peek-a-boo is a significant activity for an 8-month-old child as it serves to develop the concept of object permanence. Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not in sight. When a caregiver hides their face or an object and then reveals it, it reinforces the child's awareness that the person or object is still there despite being temporarily hidden. This emerging cognitive ability is crucial as it reflects the child's growing understanding of their world and promotes cognitive development.

At this age, children are beginning to understand that people and things do not just disappear when they can't see them. Engaging in games like peek-a-boo helps strengthen this concept through repetition and predictable patterns, allowing the child to explore the idea that the world is stable and continuous.