When a child believes that the moon is smiling at them, what developmental concept are they demonstrating?

The child believing that the moon is smiling at them demonstrates animism, which is a concept associated with the cognitive development stage of children. Animism refers to the tendency of young children to attribute human-like qualities, feelings, or intentions to non-living objects or natural phenomena. This is common in the preoperational stage of development, where children may see the world through a perspective that includes their emotions and experiences, leading them to interpret inanimate objects as if they had life and agency.

In the case of the moon smiling, the child is projecting their own feelings onto the moon, suggesting they view it as having the capability for emotions and expressions similar to those of people. This imaginative way of thinking is an essential part of cognitive and emotional development, reflecting children's attempts to make sense of their surroundings in a way that feels familiar and relatable to them.