When I was reading to my daughter today, I started wondering why toddlers love flap books. Many people think that it is because flap books are similar to the peekaboo game. Sure, flap books and peekaboo share an element of surprise. However, the peekaboo game depends on object permanence i.e. the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are no longer visible. So when a child sees your face, and then you cover it, she knows that if you remove those hands, that face will reappear.

On the other hand, when toddlers lift the flaps in books, it seems to be more about discovery. What will they find under that flap? Oh, it’s an elephant! How exciting! What will be under the next flap? Continue reading →