When do children generally start recognizing that objects continue to exist even if they cannot see them?

Children generally start recognizing that objects continue to exist even if they cannot see them during the developmental stage of 6-12 months. This awareness is part of a cognitive milestone known as object permanence, which is crucial to their understanding of the world.

Between 6 and 12 months, children begin to understand that things still exist even when they are out of sight. For instance, if a toy is hidden under a blanket, a child in this age range might begin to search for it, indicating that they recognize that the object is still there even though it is not visible. This developmental milestone is significant as it signifies the child's growing cognitive abilities and helps lay the foundation for more complex thinking and problem-solving skills later on.

The other age ranges mentioned typically reflect more advanced cognitive skills. For example, from ages 1 to 2 years, children exhibit more sophisticated ways of interacting with their environment, but the initial recognition of object permanence primarily happens earlier.