Object Permanence Box

Understanding that an object exists even if we don't see it is a critical stage in cognitive development, and the reversible Object Permanence Box provides ample opportunity to practice this skill while also developing hand-eye coordination and pincer skills.

It seems simple: show an object, then have it disappear. If a child looks for the object then s/he has developed object permanence.

This major milestone is the foundation for understanding cause and effect as well as developing language skills.

With the Object Permanence Box, the milestone occurs when your little one pushes the ball through the top of the box and then opens the drawer to retrieve it.

But there's a wealth of things happening here, other than just finding a ball.

Your little one is practicing hand-eye coordination by trying to line the ball up to the hole at the top of the box. Pushing the ball through requires more muscle skills in the hand and arm. Pinching the handle of the drawer to open it strengthens the thumb and pointer finger so your munchkin can hold a pencil later on.

And there's more.

Cause and effect is the idea of "If...then...", meaning "If X happens, then Y will happen". (For example, "If I cry, mom will come.") This is a powerful step in your little one's thinking, and it begins with "If I push the ball through this hole, then it will come out in the drawer".

Once this is achieved, it means your little one is able to hold a mental picture of the ball in his or her mind when the ball isn't visible. This is the beginning of language development, because words are the visual representation of the symbolic representation in your mind. In other words, (pun intended, ha!) You can't possibly describe what you can't see in your mind, and to have your mind develop the ability to remember an object long after you've seen it, you have to practice seeing an object and watching it disappear/reappear.

Whew.

Seems like a lot for just dropping a ball through a hole and pulling open a drawer - but it's true. In fact, object permanence has been researched for over 40 years because of its significance to cognitive (aka brain) development.

Because we want you to get the most use out of all of our toys, we've added to the longevity of the activity by putting a slit on the reverse side of the box and including 3 coins. All you have to do is flip it over and switch the drawer around and voila! New toy. Trust me, once your little one masters the ball drop, the act of "posting" (putting items into a hole or slot, like you would a letter into a mail slot) becomes almost addictive to little munchkins. Our kiddos gradually came up with more and more creative ways to put the coins into the slot, including sitting and using their toes.

In the preschool, kindergarten and early school years, you can add letter discs to the slotted side in conjunction with flash cards (as shown in the photo gallery) to create a variety of fun spelling activities. Posting does not grow old, even if your child does.

THE DETAILS

The Object Permanence box is made of whole pieces of pure, locally sourced, Canadian maple. It is not made from laminated sheets of plywood. Each side to the box and the drawer is a solid piece of local maple.

The box measures 5 inches by 5 inches, making it convenient for on-the-go travel, like the car or even in the carry-on bag for the airplane.

It comes with one ball that is 2 inches in diameter (not a choking hazard). If you'd like coloured balls, the ones from our rainbow ball set work perfectly.

The set also comes with 3 coins, which are also 2 inches in diameter. The slot to insert the 3 coins is on the bottom of the box, so to work on this activity, you just have to turn the box over, remove the drawer entirely and reinsert it upside down.

Please NOTE: the box, the ball and the coins are UNFINISHED, meaning they are sanded but not waxed or oiled. This is because many folks want to personalize theirs by painting the box a certain colour to either match room decor or a favourite colour.

Also note that because wood is a natural material with different grains, your box will most likely look different from the one pictured. We do our best to make each box similar but the beauty of nature is that it is wonderfully unique.

CLEANING

We recommend using only dry sensory materials with this box. Markers, crayons and wet materials are not recommended.

*****
A note about wooden toys: Wood is a natural material and as such, has various unique markings. Variations in wood grain, color, knots, or texture are all natural occurrences in these hand-crafted wooden products. These unique variations and markings are proof of quality, not defects. Enjoy the markings that make your toy unique!

There may be a difference in colour between what you see on your screen and what you receive in real life. This is due to different monitors and displays, and while we wish there was just one universal monitor for everyone, that isn't the case.

If you have any concerns or problems with any of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. We want you to be entirely satisfied with what you have received and will do everything possible to make it right.

*****

COVID-19 shipping: Please note that we and our shipping partners are doing our best under difficult circumstances to get your goodies to you as quickly and as safely as we can. It is possible that some shipments may experience unforeseen delays. Plan for delays as best as you can. I know it's not always possible. I'm a mom as well and I get busy and forget to order gifts, too 🙂

CANADA: Basic shipping is tracked and can take up to 14 business days, depending on where you are within the country (sometimes it can be as short as 2 days). If you would like to receive your package sooner please choose a faster shipping option when you check out.

USA: Basic shipping is untracked air. If you would like your package to be tracked please select a different shipping option when you check out. PLEASE include your phone number in a note when you make your purchase; our customs form requires it and not including it may delay shipping to you.

Europe, Australia and around the world: Basic shipping is untracked surface and CAN TAKE UP TO 12 WEEKS (which is why it is so affordable). If you would like to receive your package sooner please select AIR when you check out. If you would like tracking on your package please choose that option. Regardless of the method you choose, PLEASE include your phone number in a note when you make your purchase; our customs form requires it and not including it may delay shipping to you.

Please, please note: you may or may not have to pay customs fees if you live outside of Canada. I have no control over this as it is the result of trade agreements from the leaders of our countries.