LO repeating words

Aussie45

I brought this up at DD's 2 year doctor appointment on Aug. 27, but I was hoping maybe someone else had some advice to offer me.

DD has a tendency to repeat words. Yesterday was pretty bad as I told her we were going to Nana's house later. I kid you not, on and off all day, it was nothing but "Nana?! Papa?! GG?! Moo moo?! Te-te??" (MIL, FIL, her uncle jake, their dog, and her aunt Kaity). I say yes after each time she says one of them and tell her, "Yes we are going to Nana's later." "No Papa won't be there because he's at work." "GG might be there, I'm not sure." "Yes we will see moo-moo." And so on and so forth. After acknowledging her saying these multiple times, generally the second go around with her I tell her, "Ashie, mommy already answered your question, please stop repeating yourself." And then I try to change the subject. It seems like she gets so fixated on things and then she just goes on and on and on about them.

The pedi said I was doing the right thing, acknowledging and then moving on to talk about something else. She said to just keep and eye on it and let her know in a couple of months if it continues on. It didn't really concern me, because I thought that was just typical toddler behavior, but then when I told DH his mind automatically went to 'there's something wrong with her' panic mode. I tried to calm him down, but now I'm worried. Is this typical toddler behavior or out of the norm.

AKB090609

When I taught preschool most of the toddlers did this (as does my own) especially when they are excited about something. I'm pretty sure it's is DD's way of telling stories about things she remembers as well. I would not worry at all.

zbeesma86

Kids love repetition. Z can watch the same show over & over. She has favorite words & when we talk about grandpa & grandpa (Kiki & Pappy) she can't say one without the other. She also includes my sis & her hubby. & the dogs. I think it's a lot of just being able to talk & have a convo that keeps them repeating. No worries mama! 

Perhaps next time she starts to repeat, steer her in another direction. Talk about something else to get her to change topics. 

caybeh

DS does this all the time.

Aussie45

That's what I thought. I figured it was a normal toddler thing because I was 12 when my brother was 2 and I remember him distinctly doing this (it drove me nuts then too ).

I try to steer her away from what she's saying, but she keeps going back to it. I think she really likes being able to tell me who she's talking about as this is fairly new for her.

Hollylb3

DS is still talking about the cupcake we ate yesterday. Every crumb he sees on the floor or anything he sees me eating: "cupcake?" NO! It's not a freaking cupcake! Lol.

thechickencoop

Yea, I peed off the side of our small fishing boat 3 weeks ago when we were at the beach.  DS STILL says 'mommy pee off side of boat!' at least every other day.  Thanks kid.

bumpuser924057

My kid does this all the time and it drives me up a wall. He's three and has a lot of vocabulary to play with, but sometimes it's like an infinite loop with a certain question, or a line he heard in a TV show, or something I said to him. I've been trying really hard to vary my own language when I talk to him, model different ways to say things when we play, and remind him that we only say things once and that if you know the answer, you don't need to ask the question. It is helping a little, but I'm hoping it's something he'll grow out of.

caybeh

Leftie22 said:

My 2.5 year old does this too, and repeats a phrase over and over. I usually acknowledge it once, then ignore it. It can drive you crazy though! Sometimes asking HIM a question will snap him out of it. Like if he's saying "the purple truck" over and over, I'll ask him "what's the purple truck doing?" Anything to get out of the loop!

Yes asking them a question back helps!

catycate

Yep, my 3 1/2 year old gets on this loop of over and over again. Sometimes I'm not sure he's even listening. Normal and keep doing what you are doing!