02/06/2026
Over and over and over again. Baby Shark do do do do do do do. Climbing up the slide and down again, then up, then down. Brown Bear, Brown Bear for the hundredth time. At my house, we have read The Tale of Peter Rabbit before bed every night for the last three weeks, and at least a hundred times in the last year. Parents know exactly what I’m describing because they’re living it.
Young children need, crave, and seek out repetition. While this can feel tedious to the adult, the child delights in the over and over and over again. It is how they make sense of the world. Repeating experiences helps children deepen understanding, refine skills, build confidence, and strengthen habits for concentration and sustained focus. This is why children often choose work they’ve already “mastered.” Repetition is learning.
At DMS, we observe closely to strike a careful balance between introducing new materials and allowing space for practice. Children are not rushed or pressured into the next level before they are ready. The Montessori curriculum is built on a deep respect for children’s right to choose their own work and repeat it uninterrupted. This slowed down, relaxed approach is a wonderful way to be with children, and truly joyful to observe. We celebrate when we see children practicing with materials!
This week, when a child asks to do the same thing again, and again, and again, try smiling and saying yes one more time. Notice what they’re working on, what’s changing, and what brings them delight. When you observe the child completing an activity or task or material, before moving on to the next thing, ask, “would you like to do it again?” It is surprising to me, even after all this time, how often the answer is an enthusiastic “yes!” Savor the (repeated) moment and marvel at their process.
