For example, the two and a half year old I take care of repeated to me at least ten times that she was "making dots" with her fingerpaints. It's not because I didn't react the first time, either. I looked at her paper and said, "Oh, yes, you are making dots! Very nice," the very first time she mentioned it. Still, she repeated it several times, in a tone that was purely informational; she wasn't composing some sort of "making dots" poem or song. The same child also mentions, about every other day on average, that a small "boo boo" she had a few weeks ago has now healed. She says it the same way each time: "The boo-boo is healed!" There are numerous other examples, but you get the idea. She is a very sweet, smart child and I don't ask this question to criticize her; I am just curious.
2006-12-01 13:22:49 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Kids repeat themselves for the same reason you do anything repetitively - to practice. They have no concept that its annoying. To them, they are saying something that also ellicited a response from someone they (literally) look up to. They are communicating the handful of things that they know how to say. Remember, to them language is brand new, and the only way to get it right is to ... practice!
2006-12-01 13:59:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Child Repeating Themselves
2017-01-15 03:16:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work with 2 year olds for a living. I've heard the phrases "I want milk." and "I'm done" about a million times now. Children learn through repetition (ever wonder why the Teletubbies gets so old after a while?). She doesn't think that you can't hear her, or that she forgot. That's just how their little brains work. And the fact that she can remember from day to day that her "boo boo healed" means that her capacity to remember certain events is growing. It may be just one small incident, but it's a big step for her age. I haven't met many kids that can remember certain events for long time periods. She's developing perfectly! :)
2006-12-01 13:53:28 · answer #3 · answered by Raina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is trying to get and keep your attention. To a child making dots is a very big deal so she keeps repeating it to you to get a positive reaction. The boo-boo hurt, so she is trying to tell you about it. The same way you tell your friends or family about how your day is. Little ones don't have big things going on in their lifes like a new car or boyfriend, so a boo-boo is equal to a dent in that new car. making dots is like you buying a new outfit. Hope that helps.
2006-12-01 14:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by cheoli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a running commentary all kids do it to some extent... They just say what they are doing without even realizing they are talking... It could be "I am twirling, I am running, I am jumping" or anything else they are doing... Yes it does get repeativive and somewhat mind numbing after a while but they do grow out of it about age 4-5...
Until she outgrows it react the first time then every 5th or 6th time after that... If she is really talking to you asking for a reaction she will let you know if its running commentary she will seem surprised if you react... Once you have done this a while you will learn whats for you and whats running commentary and you can semi tune out the commentary...
2006-12-01 18:18:31 · answer #5 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a slightly different topic, but I found that in situations of potential conflict, my son would repeat himself because he wasn't convinced I had listened to him the first time. It was always when my plans for the next ten seconds didn't conform to his proposed plans. I.e. "We're going inside now." Him: "I want to stay out here and ride my bike some more." Repeat ad nauseum. I figured out quickly that kids repeat demands because they think you haven't heard them the first time. I started repeating his demands back to me, and then explaining why we would go ahead with my plan instead.
And also for all the other rather intelligent answers already here. Making dots uses up most of her brain power at her age. I usually stop being fascinated after the first two times, and just reply with a mildly-interested grunt or something.
2006-12-01 17:43:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their attention span is very limited. She doesn't really remember having the "dot" conversation over and over. I remember a demonstration of two boys about that age on TV. All they had to do was sit in their chair for 10 seconds for an elephant to magically appear out of a box in front of them. But they simply could not sit there that long, even though they knew that sitting there for 10 seconds would make the elephant come out. Have fun with her though....it won't be long before she's holding very different conversations with you!
2006-12-01 13:27:17 · answer #7 · answered by Mrs. Strain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Children are self centered and I'm not saying that because i don't like children because i really do, but that's what i learned in my psychology course. Children think they are capable of doing everything, it is not until they try to do it that they notice they can't. Also repeating is the way children register things into their minds. Don't worry this child is perfectly normal.
2006-12-01 14:00:09 · answer #8 · answered by summer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children repeat themselves so often because they get excited very quickly, and when u give them recognition the first time they do something, they want to keep getting the rocognition, and they want to hear you tell them how great theyre doing.
2006-12-01 13:29:18 · answer #9 · answered by kingsprincess90 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kid's aren't as complex as you and I. They don't have to think about getting up, going to work, paying bills, relationships, pets, cars, the price of gasoline, the war in iraq, britney's lack of panties.... etc.
To them the world revolves around dots... and booboos.
2006-12-01 13:26:41 · answer #10 · answered by iampatsajak 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋