Why are infants at six months of age excited by games where adults cover and uncover their eyes?

Infants around six months of age are particularly excited by games involving the covering and uncovering of their eyes because this activity relates to the development of object permanence. Object permanence refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible, a cognitive milestone that typically begins to emerge in infants during the sensorimotor stage of development, around the age of 4 to 7 months.

During these playful activities, when an adult covers their eyes, the infant is engaged in a form of social interaction and is learning that the adult still exists despite not being able to see them. This interaction provides a delightful surprise when the eyes are uncovered, reinforcing the idea that the individual or object behind the covering has not disappeared. This realization is foundational for later cognitive development as it helps infants understand the world around them, leading to more complex understandings of relationships between themselves and objects or individuals in their environment.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of this behavior. Development of hand-eye coordination is more related to skills in manipulating objects rather than understanding presence and absence. Progress in locomotion pertains to physical movement development, which is not directly connected to the concept of object permanence in this context. Lastly, use of trial and error for