Sing that song again.
Push the toy cash register button again.
Make that funny sound with your armpit again, again,again.
You might even start to wonder if your kid is getting a little stuck.
This was a concern I had when I chose my daughters play-based, child-led preschool.
On one hand, I loved how the children had the freedom to explore without a constricting routine.
(At that time, she was obsessed with putting diapers on baby dolls.)
She might, the schools director Sylvia told me.
But whats wrong with that?
When I recently asked her about this again, she elaborated.
What adults dont see is that each time a child does something, they see something differently.
Why is it that when people travel, they go to the same place again and again?
You see something new every time.
Thats how you get a true understanding of something.
Theres scientific evidence to back this up.
And repeating things is simply comforting for kidsand for adults, too.
Familiarity makes us feel safe and secure and less alone.
Knowing what comes next is empowering.
Children do not find the unusual piquant until they are firmly acquainted with the usual.
What should you do about your kids repetitive behaviors?
As tedious as they might be, go with them.
But not in a way thatll make you crazy.
Offer open-ended materials that support schemas, repeated patterns of behavior.
Heresan excellent listfrom early childhood educator Michelle Thornhill.
Change up the familiar little by little.
Or change up the ending.
Use it as a chance to ask What do you enjoy about that?
In time, your kid will feel confident enough to ask, Okay, whats next?
