If you’ve ever found yourself reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Gruffalo for the fifteenth time in a week, you’re not alone. Many parents and carers will notice that young children latch onto a particular story and insist on hearing it again and again, often word for word, and with little patience for alternatives. It’s a scenario that plays out in homes and nurseries everywhere — a favourite book that’s already been read countless times, yet you hear another heartfelt plea of “Again!”
At first glance, this devotion to a single story might seem puzzling. As adults, we crave novelty and variation, and it’s tempting to encourage children to explore new titles or gently steer them towards something ‘different’. But this desire for repetition is not only entirely normal for infants, toddlers and preschoolers — it’s actually a sign of healthy development. In fact, there’s a great deal happening beneath the surface every time your child requests a beloved book for the umpteenth time.
In today’s post, we’ll explore why children are drawn to repeated readings, what they gain from the experience, and how supporting this instinct — both at home and in the nursery setting — can help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of language, stories and learning.
Why Repetition Feels Good to Young Children
For very young children, the world is a busy and often unpredictable place. Every day brings something new to see, hear, taste or try. Although that can be exciting, it can also overwhelm little ones. In contrast to all this change, repetition provides a welcome sense of familiarity and control. When a child chooses to hear the same story again and again, they are engaging with something known and reassuring — something where they already understand the pattern, remember the characters, and can predict what happens next. That sense of mastery is deeply comforting to them.
“Repetition provides a welcome sense of familiarity and control.”
From a developmental perspective, repetition plays an important role in helping children make sense of their surroundings. The human brain in the early years is working at an astonishing pace, constantly building connections and absorbing information. Repeated experiences help strengthen those neural pathways. Hearing the same sentences or phrases in a book over and over helps the brain to recognise patterns, anticipate outcomes, and form more lasting memories.
“Hearing the same sentences or phrases in a book over and over helps the brain to recognise patterns, anticipate outcomes, and begin to form more lasting memories.”
There is also an emotional component to repeated reading. When a child hears a favourite story in the voice of a parent or trusted adult, it creates a strong sense of connection. The warmth, tone and rhythm of familiar words spoken by someone they love reinforce a feeling of safety and belonging. For many children, this shared experience becomes part of their routine, and returning to a much-loved story can offer comfort in moments of transition, tiredness or uncertainty.
Ultimately, repetition isn’t a sign of boredom or a lack of imagination — it’s a powerful tool that children instinctively use to deepen their understanding of language, narrative, and the world around them. While it may test an adult’s patience from time to time, for a young child, there’s real joy in knowing what comes next — and in getting to experience that joy all over again.
“There’s real joy in knowing what comes next — and in getting to experience that joy all over again.”
What Children Are Learning When They Hear the Same Book Over and Over
Although it may seem as though nothing new is happening when a child asks for the same book yet again, each repeated reading is building something important beneath the surface. Young children learn through repetition, and stories are one of the richest and most enjoyable ways to support that process.
One of the clearest benefits of repeated reading is vocabulary development. Hearing the same words and phrases over time helps children internalise them. This is especially important when books introduce new or more complex language than a child might hear in everyday conversation. By encountering those words again and again in a familiar context, children begin to understand them more deeply and even start to use them in their own speech. The rhythm and rhyme found in many favourite books further support this by making the language more memorable and easier to imitate.
Repetition also supports children’s comprehension skills. Each time a story is heard, a child can focus on different aspects of it. On one occasion, they might be captivated by the pictures; on another, they might notice how a character is feeling, or how the story builds to its conclusion. With each reading, their understanding becomes more layered and nuanced, and their ability to retell or discuss the story improves too. This not only lays the groundwork for future reading comprehension, but also builds important narrative skills that will support them across all areas of communication and learning.
Another key area of development supported by re-reading is, of course, memory. As children hear a story repeatedly, they begin to anticipate what happens next, often joining in with familiar lines or reciting whole sections by heart. This ability to recall and predict is a sign that they are developing strong cognitive skills, including sequencing, attention, and auditory memory. These are all crucial foundations for later literacy.
Stories also offer a window into emotions, relationships, and the wider world. Through characters and plots, children are introduced to a range of feelings and situations, many of which may mirror their own experiences. When a child asks for the same book repeatedly, it may be because the story has resonated with them on a personal level. The more times they hear it, the more opportunities they have to explore those feelings and make sense of them in a safe and supportive way.
In essence, that familiar book on the shelf isn’t just a favourite — it’s a powerful learning tool, offering children the chance to build language, understanding, and confidence each time it’s opened.
“A familiar book is a powerful learning tool, offering children the chance to build language, understanding, and confidence each time it’s opened.”
Supporting This at Home
At home, parents or carers can support this by continuing to follow a child’s lead. If your child keeps choosing the same book, that’s a good thing — it means they’re connecting with it. You can enhance the experience by reading with enthusiasm, pausing to let your child fill in familiar lines, or asking gentle questions like “What happens next?” or “How do you think they feel here?” If your child wants to tell you the story instead, even better — this kind of role reversal strengthens memory, language, and storytelling abilities.
It’s also important to enjoy the shared experience. Reading the same book again isn’t a task to be ticked off — it’s an opportunity to connect, communicate, and learn together. And, by honouring children’s desire for repetition, we’re showing them that their interests matter to us. We’re also showing that we’re there for them to help nurture their developing minds.
Repetition Is a Sign of Growth
It’s easy to assume that when a child insists on reading the same book for the fifth time in a row, they’re simply stuck in a habit. But in truth, this kind of repetition is often a clear sign of growth. Rather than being a sign that they aren’t moving forward, it shows that they are consolidating what they’ve already learned — laying the groundwork for more complex thinking, communication, and understanding.
“Repetition shows that children are consolidating what they’ve already learned — laying the groundwork for more complex thinking, communication, and understanding.”
Children instinctively return to what feels manageable and rewarding. A book they already know offers them a chance to succeed, to feel confident in their understanding, and to enjoy the predictability of a story they can follow with ease. Each time they hear the same words, they’re not just passively listening — they’re actively building familiarity with language patterns, story structures, and emotional cues.
“A book they already know offers them a chance to succeed, to feel confident in their understanding, and to enjoy the predictability of a story they can follow with ease.”
Eventually, children do move on. When they’ve had their fill of a particular book, they’re often ready to explore new stories with a richer set of skills in place. The comfort and confidence gained from repeated readings help them approach unfamiliar books with greater interest and less frustration. So rather than seeing repetition as a rut, it’s helpful to view it as a bridge — a way for children to move steadily from the familiar to the new.
So the next time your child runs up to you with that well-worn favourite, eager to hear it “just one more time,” you’ll know it’s a good thing. Repeated reading is doing far more than meets the eye! It’s helping to build language, memory, emotional understanding and connection — all wrapped up within the safe and familiar story they love.
Little Cedars Nursery
At our childcare nursery in Streatham, we understand how important repeated reading is for young children’s development, embracing it as a valuable part of our daily routine. Story time is a cherished activity, and we know that when a child asks for a favourite book again, it’s because they’re engaging deeply with it. Whether it’s the comforting rhythm of a well-loved picture book or the excitement of anticipating a favourite character’s next adventure, we follow the children’s interests and support their choices — however many times they may request them. After all, we know that every repeated story is a step forward in a child’s learning journey.
Our practitioners are skilled at making repeated reading feel fresh and interactive, even when the story is already very familiar. By using expressive voices, gestures, and encouraging children to join in with key words or sounds, we help bring the story to life each time. Children are often invited to take on the role of storyteller themselves, turning pages, pointing to pictures, and even “reading” aloud from memory. These small but powerful moments help build confidence and strengthen communication skills in a way that feels natural and joyful.
At Little Cedars Nursery, we also make space for quiet, independent reading. Our book areas are set up with inviting, accessible book choices so that children can freely revisit the stories they love. It’s not uncommon to see a toddler carefully turning the pages of a book they know well, reciting parts of it to themselves or sharing it with a friend! These self-initiated moments show just how much children internalise and treasure the books that matter to them.
Why not explore the possibility of sending your baby, toddler, or preschooler to Little Cedars Nursery in Streatham? We’re rated as a Good Provider by Ofsted and support many Government-funded childcare schemes and vouchers. These include the ’30 Hours’ extension to free childcare for children aged from just 9 months (for eligible working families) that begins in September 2025. Contact us today!
Little Cedars Nursery provides a first-class childcare service to families in Streatham and may also be convenient for families in and around Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury and Colliers Wood.
Children are all different. They learn and develop at different rates to each other and that applies to potty training success too. Circumstances in each family are different too, and this will also have an effect. In other words, there is no hard and fast rule about the age by which little ones should have mastered the use of the potty. Parents should therefore not worry if their child is slower to master toileting than their siblings or peers. That said, some very rough guidelines will always be useful to parents and these follow.
Allowing your toddler to help choose their potty can automatically make it less daunting and instead more of a ‘friendly’ thing to have in their life.
Children can also be encouraged by having their own toy potties. They, and parents, can ‘train’ teddies and dolls to use these during play. Doing so will help them be both relaxed and more educated about potty training — even proactive.
Don’t forget to make potty training fun! Many of these tips will help towards that, including the rewards idea (#4), praise (#5), characters on potties (#7), toileting-themed music (#8), and so on.
household cleanliness, and for their independence.
As we previously reported, 
One of the ways you can optimise the success of any indoor play is to set aside a dedicated and safe play area or room for your child. Here, you can ensure that children have the space and tools available for stimulating play when needed, and quieter play at other times. Age-appropriate toys, books, and equipment are, of course, the first prerequisite for such an area. However, you may also consider other elements such as a quiet storytelling/reading corner, a play den or teepee, a relaxation area with cushions and blankets, a creative section with art and craft supplies, a play kitchen or play tools section, and so on. Giving your child such a space is sure to encourage them to immerse themselves in their play activities. And, as we know, children learn best through play.
As well as giving children the tools for imaginative and educational play at home, your proactive input will also boost the benefits they receive from such activities. So, get involved, lead them sometimes and at other times let them lead. They’ll discover and learn more in this way. Ask and answer questions, encourage them to be creative in their thinking and physical approach and highlight aspects and elements that they may not otherwise have been aware of. Such an approach can teach children so much. It may well also deepen the bond between you.
There are many types of play at home that can involve role-play, which is a powerful tool for learning. Role-play allows children to immerse themselves deeply into the game, story, or scenario they are acting out. As such it greatly boosts young imaginations and stimulates creativity skills. So, encourage such activities as dressing up in costumes, acting, and putting on pretend voices to embody characters. You and your child can take this a step further through the setting up of play equipment or props to create a new play scenario, for example, a play den, cave, pretend kitchen, or castle. Children will have immense fun whilst also learning huge amounts from such creative and imaginative activities.
Role-playing can also be brought into time spent reading with your child. 
While electronic screens have their occasional place in the education and entertainment of families, it’s healthy to ensure your child has regular screen-free time. Partaking in active play at home — rather than staring inactively at a screen — can only be a good thing, in so many ways. Social skills will be better when children are actively involved in physical play with others. Motor skills and fitness will also benefit. Creativity levels will go through the roof too when children play in real life. They will also learn so much about the world, everything around them and the endless possibilities available to them by playing in the real world. Ensuring children get access to such benefits and opportunities by switching off smartphones, TVs, tablets and game consoles is something every parent can easily do for their child. Doing so will allow for more traditional play, which will enrich their lives in an infinite number of ways.
Toys that allow open-ended play are the toys that young children will usually learn the most from. For example, allowing your child to play with building blocks and materials for arts and crafts will let your child’s imagination run riot. Through these, they will be able to create an infinite range of scenarios and possibilities. Dolls and action figures are also good examples that will allow children to immerse themselves in open-ended play, with you there to help expand those possibilities, scenarios and learning opportunities even further.
It doesn’t have to be just you and your child playing. Siblings and your child’s peers can also be encouraged to join in. Consider inviting your little one’s friends to your home or local park for a play date. Getting your child’s friends and peers together for group play will allow your child to learn and hone social skills like cooperation, teamwork, leadership, sharing and potentially even conflict resolution. And, with you there to oversee the group session, you can be sure that home play will be fulfilling, organised, fair and rewarding for all who take part.
Remember that you can facilitate learning through play outdoors with your child too. Whether in the garden, park or countryside, playing outdoors gives children a vast number of learning opportunities — and it’s great fun! By accompanying children outdoors, they can naturally explore and discover — and enjoy doing so in ways that are much more free than when playing indoors. Outdoor play is a feast for the senses, it will encourage the honing of physical skills like balance, coordination, motor skills and strength as well as fitness. Playing in the natural world is also incredibly good for children’s mental well-being and holistic development. Learn more about 
Children and families, get ready for National Storytelling Week! For 2024, storytelling in the UK is officially celebrated from Saturday the 27th of January to Sunday the 4th of February. It’s a great opportunity for children and families to get creative and to entertain one another through the sharing of stories.
National Storytelling Week couldn’t come at a better time of year. As many across the UK have witnessed in recent weeks, January brings with it cold days, dull skies, and wintery weather. Even the daylight hours are short, limiting the number of activities children can undertake outdoors. With storytelling, however, families can be transported to any number of different locations, situations and climates, all in the blink of an eye. Indeed, storytelling can take children to places and scenarios that would simply not be possible in real life. Such is the power of this art form and the human imagination.
Stories stimulate imaginations;
Another great way to help children create new stories is to encourage them to be inspired by objects around them. For example, a teddy bear, toy character, or picture nearby may inspire them. This can be taken further by providing children with a basket of such props, for example, a toy animal, pine cone, toy crown, goblet, apple, and a rock. A ‘story scrapbook’ can be used by children in a similar way. Such things can significantly help children to become more creative and generate storyline ideas, sequencing, and plot twists.
Bilingual children have been shown to have better cognitive flexibility, focus and creativity. Studies have shown that this often leads to better decision-making, prioritisation and planning skills too. With such skills in place, bilingual children may also have a better ability to multitask and switch between separate tasks.
Young bilingual children may sometimes mix their languages or use one language inappropriately in certain contexts. This is a normal part of the language acquisition process but can be a little confusing, at times, for both the child and their caregivers.
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their bilingual children’s language development. To help your child become proficient in two different languages, it’s important to consistently speak both at home. Doing so can help children develop a particularly strong foundation in both languages.
Bilateral coordination is an important skill for children to master and is something that parents should look out for as children develop in their early years. Today we look at the topic, explaining what it is, why it’s important and how mastery of the skill benefits little ones.
You may also hear reference to the phrase crossing the midline and this is also linked to bilateral coordination. It refers to a person reaching across their body, from one side to the opposite side, in order to complete a task. An example would be a child reaching with their right hand, across their body, to pick up a toy that’s to their left. Crossing the midline in such a way is a significant step because it demonstrates that infants have progressed from naturally using the side of their body nearest the object to using a dominant or preferred side. This may be the first indication parents have of whether their child is going to be left- or right-handed.
uncoordinated and will struggle with a variety of physical tasks.
Reciprocal bilateral coordination: this is where both sides of the body form a rhythmic motion but the movements on each side alternate. Examples include walking, swimming and cycling.
Mastery of bilateral coordination requires children to develop and fine-tune three types of motor skill:
Threading beads on a string, or string through holes punched though paper or card;
Play-doh — squeezing and rolling it, including use of tools to shape it;
These are just a few examples. Any age-appropriate game or activity is likely to help improve bilateral coordination so long as it requires precise, measured movements and coordination of both sides of the body. It’s a case of the child practising over time, often through play, until a particular physical outcome has been mastered. Progress is particularly easy to see in babies and infants as they gradually become more physically able, dextrous, strong and coordinated.