Why do children like to pitch tents?

The famous educator Montessori put forward the "sensitive period theory" and developed the "space sensitive period" on this basis. The space-sensitive period refers to children aged 0-6 who are very interested in a certain time or space. They can explore the space by throwing things, drilling holes and other ways to perceive the relationship between themselves and objects and space. 

The human body does not have special organs for the perception of space. It needs the development and coordination of vision, touch, vestibular perception and other perceptions, and then makes accurate spatial judgments and inferences. This is a physiological requirement that is gradually developed.

Children are in a space-sensitive period, and they usually have various behaviors such as throwing things, climbing up and down, peek-a-boo, and heights. At this time, they are exploring space through these behaviors and forming a concept of space. Children like the fun of different spaces alternately. They will have different feelings in different spaces. They will use their bodies to feel the magic of space.

And while exploring the space, children can also acquire concepts of various orientations, such as front, back and middle. When the child slowly grows up, he will find some hidden space by himself and pay attention to the surrounding environment.

The space-sensitive period is a critical period for children's intellectual development. Parents should seize this opportunity to help children improve their spatial perception.

From a psychological point of view: children do not like too much space. The small space in the "tent" makes it easy for children to feel safe and secure when they are wrapped and protected.

Children and adults see things from different perspectives. If you try to squat down to the height of a child, you will find that many things around you become very tall, which looks a little scary. The same is true for children in large spaces.

In a space that is too large, children cannot find their place and feel a little overwhelmed. When in a small space, they tend to have a sense of their own existence.

When the fetus is still not born, the baby is in the mother's belly with very little space, and can touch the mother's belly with almost every move, so that he cannot leave this small space, but at the same time the child feels safe.

Children like to be held by their mothers after birth, not just because the embrace is warm. Not only can I feel my mother's heartbeat, but also the feeling of being tightly surrounded by my mother's arms. At this time, the child will recall that the feeling in the mother's belly is the same, so that the child feels safe.

There are also some children who like to rely on things when they sleep, such as against the wall, or against the railing, against the bed, against the mother, etc., indicating that he is looking for a sense of security.

When a child uses a quilt to set up a small tent, it is like isolating a small space from an empty space. The black inside is all surrounded by isolation. At this time, the child has found the feeling of the fetal period, and will feel warm, comfortable and safe.

In normal times, parents can also use these methods: raising heights, chasing, pitching tents, building blocks, etc. This can accompany the child, help the child establish a sense of security, make the child interested, and can also be combined with the child's sensitive period.