What is blanket training?

Blanket training is a controversial parenting technique that involves using a blanket or mat to teach young children to sit or play quietly for extended periods of time. The practice is most commonly associated with the teachings of the controversial parenting book "To Train Up A Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl.

The idea behind blanket training is to teach children self-control and obedience by physically restraining them with a blanket or mat until they learn to stay in one place without moving or making noise. Parents may use gentle physical corrections such as tapping or swatting the child with a flexible object like a ruler if they try to move off the blanket.

Critics of blanket training argue that it is a form of emotional and physical abuse that can lead to feelings of fear, shame, and low self-worth in children. They also note that the practice can be harmful to a child's development and can create long-term negative effects on their mental health.

It is important for parents to consider the potential consequences of using blanket training as a discipline technique and to explore alternative, more effective ways to teach children self-control and obedience.