You must have seen your child repeating few words when you ask them something. But have you ever wondered why … …?

Natural repetition is how children study everything, just the way we do something new and tricky, like learning a guitar or a violin and doing regular practice. The same way, kids learn how to put on their shoes and use a spoon, through repeated attempts, they improve their vocabulary and by trying out strange words and phrases until they become familiar.

When children repeat words right after they hear them, it’s known as ‘Echolalia’. Echolalia is the unsolicited repetition of words spoken by another person and when they are repeated by the same person, it is called palilalia. Though it is known as meaningless repetition of another person's spoken words as a symptom of psychiatric disorder, it is also regarded as repetition of speech by a child learning to talk which is a natural process every child adopts.

When they repeat words at a later time, it’s known as delayed echolalia. As a result of the time delay, it may seem very unusual because these sentences are used out of context. For example, a child might enjoy a song teacher sang at circle time, and then later ask to sing it at home by saying “It’s circle time” instead of saying the name of the song. (Source - The Hanene Centre)

Children between the ages of 2-4 years should be imitating you a lot. That’s how they are learning. However, by age two you should see them begin using their own words as well. You may also see them continuing to imitate you when you ask a complicated question. Children also try to imitate because they seek to be included in our conversations as they practice their own ‘social language skills’.

Children are naturally curious to know the world and everything they come across for the first time. Believe it or not, they adopt several natural processes to acquire new things, knowledge and store in their brain permanently or temporary. One may sound their behaviour unusual but, yes, it’s a natural process of learning every child pass through. It’s true that parents put extraordinary efforts to teach their kids but, no need to surprise if someone tell you, kids learn more naturally than what you teach them. So, what is required is “Parents should trust their children and they will flourish”.

So parents, trust “repeat the sentence” … … !!