What is the significance of "huts on the beach" in Lord of the Flies, Chapter 3?

The huts on the beach represent a sense of security,
especially for the littluns.   Ralph confides in Simon and Jack in chapter three that
the littluns are plagued by nightmares and toss and turn at night.  Ralph refers to the
huts as "shelters" and forcefully tries to convince Jack of their importance: "We need
shelters," as opposed to hunting which Jack has been wasting his time on lately (51).
For Ralph, the huts are a necessity; as chief, he feels duty-bound to protect the
littluns--not just from the elements, like rain--but also from the alleged
beast. 

Toward the end of Ralph and Jack's debate
concerning the huts, Ralph brings up the threat of the beast, coupled with the littluns'
nightmare:

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"'They talk and they scream.  The littluns.[...]
As if--'

'As if it wasn't a good island.'
[...]

'So we need shelters as sort
of--'

'Home.'

'That's right'"
(52).

The boys' exchange
reveals the significance of the shelters.  By building them, Ralph attempts to inject
some normalcy into the boys' lives, a temporary home, but also one to give them a sense
of security.  The huts on the beach protect them from the weather and storms, but also
more significantly will give a much needed morale boost to the boys who so desperately
need a way to feel connected to their former lives.