Fort-da Game

The Fort-da game, developed by psychoanalyst Jean Piaget, is a child's play activity that helps them understand object permanence—the idea that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. In the game, a child might roll a spool ("fort" meaning "gone") away and then bring it back ("da" meaning "there"), demonstrating their ability to grasp that objects or people still exist even when not visible. This playful exchange reflects the child's developing cognitive skills in understanding continuity and presence beyond immediate perception.