Reading and repetition
For many parents, the bedtime routine is a familiar sequence: Bath, pajamas, tooth brushing, and then a story—often from a very familiar book.
Many parents notice that, despite having plenty of books to choose from, children often ask to hear the same story night after night. This can happen for weeks or even months on end. And, while It may not feel like it – this is said to be a good thing!
While the repetition can be a bit boring for adults, child development experts suggest it serves an important developmental purpose that extends far beyond bedtime. Re-reading the same story provides young children with a unique combination of emotional security, cognitive stimulation, and early literacy learning.
Science suggests that young children tend to thrive in structured environments. A systematic review of 170 studies conducted between 1950 and 2020 linked consistent routines with better outcomes in areas such as emotional regulation, social development, physical health, and academic readiness. Bedtime, often a transitional and vulnerable moment in a child’s day, benefits particularly from predictable cues. Developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman notes that reading the same book is more than just habit as it reinforces a child’s sense of control.
You see, for children, the world is largely controlled by adults, and the ability to select a specific story offers children an opportunity to assert agency. This sense of familiarity can reduce anxiety and help children transition more smoothly to sleep. The process also strengthens the parent-child bond. Reading together, particularly when led by the child’s preference, builds positive associations with literacy and can signal safety and attention.
Language development
In addition to emotional benefits, repeated readings also function as a literacy-building tool. According to Deborah Wells Rowe, a professor in Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education, repetition allows children to internalize the rhythm and structure of language. Exposure to the same words and sentence patterns facilitates vocabulary retention. Over time, children begin to anticipate parts of the story, and can even mimic the reading process. In many cases, they will “read” portions of the text from memory, strengthening both confidence and comprehension. This pattern mirrors the way adults often return to a favourite novel, discovering new meanings or nuances with each read. As children, however, we are processing this at a foundational level by developing the core cognitive abilities required for independent reading.
Literacy as interaction
Repeated stories also create opportunities for enhanced parent-child interaction. Early on, a child might point to a bunny in an illustration or react to a familiar phrase. Later, they may ask questions about characters, mimic a silly voice, or make narrative predictions. Each of these responses, while seemingly minor, can contribute to language comprehension. Rowe emphasizes that even micro-level exchanges, such as identifying images or repeating words, play a role in literacy development. These interactive moments form the basis for more complex skills such as critical thinking and empathy.
How to deal with repetition
While the benefits are clear, the monotony can be hard to bear. Reading the same text multiple times can be draining, especially when the story is extremely simplistic. Fortunately, there are some strategies to help:
• Make the reading interactive: Running a finger along the words, asking questions about the story, or pausing to let the child fill in a familiar phrase can provide variation while reinforcing learning.
• Track developmental changes: Parents can observe how a child’s response to the story evolves. What begins as passive listening may become more active engagement as verbal and cognitive abilities increase.
• Take a break: If you need a break, gently introducing a new book while still allowing the child autonomy can help shift the routine without distress.
Usually temporary
According to Pressman, there is no harm in taking a break from a book as another favourite will likely emerge soon.
While it may feel never-ending in the moment, this phase of re-reading is usually temporary. Eventually, most children will move on to more complex books, often seeking new stories or re-reading old favourites independently. By that point, the routine of shared reading may have already laid a strong foundation for literacy, emotional intelligence, and independent learning.
What seems like a tedious routine to adults is often a rich, layered experience for a child. Through repetition, children are not only absorbing language—they are also developing a sense of identity, agency, and emotional security. The act of reading the same book again and again, far from being a developmental plateau, is actually a quiet but powerful form of growth.
While adults may feel tempted to rush through or resist the repetition, the practice is worth embracing, as those repeated pages are shaping not only how children engage with the interesting world around them.
For parents of children living with autism:
Repetition, routine and predictability can play a huge role in ensuring your child feels comfortable and finds joy in the experience. The benefits of repetition in reading can be extremely useful in developing language skills:
• Keep it interactive: Using gestures, sound affects by pointing or touching the book, you’ll encourage children to share ideas.
• Use visuals: Pictures, flashcards and other visual supports can increase understanding, especially when children have strong visual-spatial skills.
• Keep it focused: Short sessions with a clear focus can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed for your child.
Photos: Hasan-Almasi. Getty-Images, Unsplash.
