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Repeat Stories

Betsey Matas, RPS Early Learning Family Literacy Specialist

In the course of many parent’s lives they may find themselves reading the same book over and over again and wondering why. Some parents may even worry that they aren’t exposing their child to enough books because they are stuck reading The Hungry Caterpillar ten times every night.

It turns out that there are specific reasons why children enjoy reading the same book for so long, even if it drives their parents crazy! 

  1. In a time where a child’s understanding of the world is rapidly growing, having the consistency of a story is comforting. This is especially true around age 3 when children really become aware that the world around them continues, even when they aren’t there. This can be a very scary time for children (and often pairs with trouble sleeping, fear of the dark), and knowing exactly what the caterpillar eats and when it will become a beautiful butterfly gives them a sense of control in a big world.
     
  2. They can show off! Growing up is hard work and sometimes it feels good to show what you know. After a child has been read a book enough times they memorize and can then “read” it to their adults. This can be a confidence boost!
     
  3. They simply like it. Kids don’t get as tired of things as quickly as adults and have a unique ability to find new and exciting parts to many different things in life. While you might be bored, they are busy making connections to what you are reading to their everyday lives! 

Keep all of this in mind while you settle in to read. Try asking them some new questions about what they think of the book, use different voices to make the story more interesting or ask them what they like best about it. You may be surprised by what they say!

Reading these familiar stories time and time again are often the memories that will stick with them until they have children of their own.

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