Written by, Kalpita
13th Aug 2025
This summer, I learned something unexpectedly profound about my 7 year old. The way she heartily enjoys performing the same activities repeatedly - like watching her favourite movies, playing the same games, or reading the same book time and time again, is not simply an eccentric quirk! As days grew long and routines relaxed, I was able to see how her repeated choices carried some significant advantages; helping her build skills, confidence, and emotional resilience. Once I truly recognised the “why” behind the patterns this summer, I had renewed respect for the benefits of repetition in childhood, and the importance of engaging in these moments as a parent – where meaning was evident in these rich summer learning experiences.
Does your child often lock onto a favourite movie, song, book, or game to experience it repeatedly? It could be the same LEGO set, video-game level, TikTok dancing routine, or asking for the same story book to be read at bedtime. This repetition is far from being mere nostalgia; rather, it is one tremendous development tool. Find out how this plays out when expressed through modern activities, and what this signifies for developing minds today.
Why Children Replay, Rebuild and Repeat
1. Repetition Builds Mastery and Comfort
• Movies and Shows: Children watching “Moana,” “Blippi”, or “Bluey” on repeat learn the lines to every song and scene.
• Video Games: Many youngsters begin to develop their own way of playing and stay on one level or building project for weeks in Minecraft or Roblox.
• Books: Children become comforted and masterful through repeated reading and quoting from favourites such as “Captain Underpants” and “Harry Potter.”
Each repetition brings predictability to fruition, satisfaction, and a perceivable accomplishment.
2. Imaginative and Symbolic Play
• Role Play and Dress-Up: Costumes and make-believe play allow children to take on varied roles and rehearse social situations. Be it superheroes, princesses, or YouTube vloggers, costumes and role-play provide an outlet.
• TikTok/YouTube Dances: Repeat is key for those who love sorting out and performing viral dances or song challenges.
• Building and Crafting: From rebuilding the same LEGO city to making infinite drawings of their favourite character and scenic backgrounds, to recreating trendy crafts seen on social media, the possibilities are endless.
3. Emotional Learning Through Repeated Games and Play
- Sports and Team Games: Practicing the same soccer dribble or basketball shot provides a safe space to experience triumph, frustration, and perseverance — building self-regulation and confidence.
- Board Games and Puzzles: Children will replay games like Uno or complete the same puzzles multiple times. Each loss or win reinforces emotional coping skills and sportsmanship.
Games and play activities like these provide a “safe stage” to process big feelings, test reactions, and empathise.
4. Social, Language, and Cognitive Benefits
• Memes and Jokes: The same meme or a joke or riddle retold at school, over and over — creates the connection, memory, and language.
• Music and Song: Hearing, singing or dancing to the same songs builds the meaning of words, rhythm, social circle, and cultural belonging.
Intentional repetition allows children to achieve common goals in a way that stimulates their mind. The whole process of repetition helps every child master a skill, and when parents or caregivers join in or show some variety, they motivate kids to get beyond their comfort zones. These slight variances help in developing emotional intelligence, social skills, and resilience without sacrificing an ounce of a child's natural passion to repeat, master, and enjoy.
What Does This Repetition Say About Your Child?
- They’re creative, curious, and using the tools and media of their generation to master skills and emotions.
- Repetition in books, digital games, creative projects, and media helps build confidence, emotional intelligence, and social bonds.
Whether through screen time, sports, crafts, or pretend play, repeating favourite activities is a healthy, vital stage in learning and growth. Here are some relatable scenarios showcasing how it all plays out, how it can be bettered and why:
1. That Movie Replay
Scenario:
Grace, 7 years old, insists on stepping into “Moana’s” shoes every other day and performing that “How Far I'll Go” part down to the last word. Occasionally, she gets a little upset when her parents refuse to join in, or if her scene is cut short.
How It Plays Out:
Grace knows all the songs and dialogues. Her parents love her enthusiasm but are concerned that she might get stuck in a rut.
How Could It Be Made Better:
Somewhat passively just viewing the show, Grace's parents could make this more interactive:
• Watch with her or co-act the parts during family “Moana night;” they could take turns for various parts or make some homemade props.
• Encourage creative spinoffs like: "What would Moana do if she landed in our home?" or "Let's write another song!"
Why It Matters:
Empowering a child improves creativity and opens a new social channel for learning. Sharing is another example-model; flexibility is yet another, and new play is one more.
2. That Book on Repeat
Scenario:
Eli, 6 years old, starts wanting to hear the story of “The Gruffalo” over and over every night for weeks, memorising every word and ignoring her new library books.
How It Plays Out:
Eli gets upset when requested to read something else and can sometimes even storm out if insisted on.
How It Could Be Made Better:
• Pair the familiar with the new: “Let’s read ‘The Gruffalo’ and then try this new book about another creature in the woods!”
• Make Eli the storyteller: Have him ‘read’ the book to a younger sibling or even a pet, or make up changes to the story together (“What if the Gruffalo was afraid of rabbits?”).
Why It Matters:
This keeps the familiar comfort with Eli but gently encourages cognitive flexibility and confidence as a storyteller.
3. That Video Game Mastery
Scenario:
Mia, 8 years old, spends hours replaying the same Minecraft world, building identical houses and showing them to her friends on video calls.
How It Plays Out:
Mia has impressive skills, but gets bored or stuck when friends suggest trying a different game or new building challenge.
How It Could Be Made Better:
- Invite new challenges: “Can you build a house with a secret room?” or “Let’s create a winter village together.”
- Add social layers: Encourage Mia to be the “architect” leading her friends in a group project, switching roles sometimes.
Why It Matters:
Shifting the focus from repetition to collaboration and problem-solving fosters adaptability and teamwork, expanding the social and creative value of her play.
4. That Repeat Sports Practice
Scenario:
Sam, 7 years old, practices the same soccer kick every afternoon, getting upset at missed goals and not wanting to try other skills.
How It Plays Out:
Sam improves that one shot, but his frustration grows when games don’t go as planned.
How It Could Be Made Better:
- Celebrate effort, not outcome: Parents can cheer for persistence (“I noticed how you kept trying, even when it was tough!”).
- Introduce variety through games: Try trick shot challenges, soccer tag, or mixed-up practice routines to keep practice fun and flexible.
Why It Matters:
Redirecting focus to persistence and fun, and broadening his skill set, helps Sam develop resilience and flexibility — crucial for both sports and life.
Four Ways How Parents Support Childhood Obsessions:
1. Bond: Do the viral dance together, build the LEGO tower, or read that favourite book out loud.
2. Combine Old with New: While mixing new activities with cherished routines, try perhaps remixing a favourite game, sharing new stories in between repeats, or creating new dance moves together.
3. Watch for Emotional Response: The child might get upset if the routine is interrupted; occasionally repetition can be healing, but if the distress becomes acute, then it is worth talking about and providing support.
4. Encourage Reflection: Questions can also be posed like, “What do you like about this game/character/song?” to bring children into deeper engagement and learning.
Tidbits to Take-Away:
Whether mimicking scenes from Moana, replaying that Mario Kart course, or trying to learn a new dance move, an insistent “Do it again!” is a child's cherished, fully developmentally normal request for comfort, mastery, and connection. Repetitious and wild excitement are experiences that become the foundation in child development for creativity, resilience, and emotional comprehension in the fast-paced environment they find themselves growing up.
