Toddler's Adorable Failed Attempt To 'Hide and Seek' Delights Internet

It seems a good old game of hide and seeks can still be enjoyed by people of all ages, with one dad sharing the adorable moment his son attempts to hide behind a shower door.

The post shared on Reddit by u/ohKeithMC with the caption "My son playing hide and seek at my parents' house" has received more than 39,750 upvotes since November 27.

The toddler can be seen in a photo smiling and looking incredibly "proud" in his hiding spot, as pointed out by other users.

Peek-a-Boo vs Hide-and-Seek

Newsweek spoke to Seattle-based teacher and play specialist Karen Whittier who states that such games have both emotional and physical benefits. She explained that babies and toddlers have a "need" to be found, so therefore, strictly speaking, the game is peek-a-boo.

When they get to around five years of age, toddlers' skills are boosted and they will go on to play hide and seek. Perhaps in the great outdoors to "reap all the benefits."

She told Newsweek: "Parents are integral to that growing and learning and you don't need expensive toys or electronic devices! Simple, hands-on experiences like hide-and-seek that have been played for eons provide benefits now and lay the groundwork for learning later.

"Babies and young toddlers view the world through egocentric lenses. In other words, everything is just an extension of them. When parents play games like 'peek-a-boo,' their perception starts to change.

"They become aware, typically, that mom is a separate individual. Going away for a young child is quite literally not being in their field of vision. So playing 'peek-a-boo' reassures them someone they love can go away and come back to them.

"This concept of object permanence is still being worked out as older toddlers move on to playing a modified hide-and-seek."

What Are the Benefits of Hide and Seek?

Whittier outlined the following benefits of the game:

• Kids can develop their social skills and have opportunities to work together; practice taking turns
• Kids develop gross motor skills
• Cognitive benefits, as kids learn to rote count to 10; develop problem-solving
• It supports their impulse control and develops independence
• Playing is the way children thrive

The viral photo was posted to the subreddit/KidsAreF******Stupid and many Redditors have pretended to play along.

The top comment, which has received 2,300 upvotes, said: "Haha look at those stupid adults taking a picture of an empty shower, morons."

"I don't see anything," wrote another.

It is clear the toddler's hiding place has put a smile on Redditors' faces, one user saying: "It's so cute the way he's smiling! You can tell he thinks his plan is brilliant."

Another person wrote: "That look on his face has me cry-laughing so hard."

"You're supposed to relax on the couch and occasionally shout, 'Where are you? I can't find you!'" suggested a different Redditor.