Why Toddlers LOVE To Repeat Stuff!

TOP OF MIND

Repeat stuff
It's two in the afternoon and you're on the verge of a mental breakdown because your toddler has listened to the same song on repeat for the past three hours. You know every word. In fact, it's all you can hear in your head. Your thoughts are gone. You've forgotten how to walk.

We feel your pain. But there's a scientific reason why toddlers love (and need) to do things on repeat!

Harvard neuroscientist, Charles Nelson III, explains that during the first few years of a child's life, the brain overproduces synapses -- the connections between neurons. And neurons, once fired, need to be wired, and unfortunately for all us parents, wiring is only made possible by repetition.

The important bits
NPR health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee wanted to know the science behind why her 3-year-old son loves doing the same thing over and over again. She explained that last summer, all he wanted to do was watch this one video about tractors and farm equipment.

This transitioned to bedtime as well, when her little guy wanted her to read him stories about construction vehicles every single night.

It can be easy to assume they're simply torturing us, but they're actually just mastering the world around them. They are learning and wiring their brains. As Chatterjee explains, toddlers are like little scientists, testing and retesting to figure out the rules of the world around them.

Ah, yes. The important lesson, "Dogs don't like spoons."

But seriously, repeating things over and over again is how kids learn. It's how you learned!

But seriously, repeating things over and over again is how kids learn! It's how you learned!

But seriously, repeating... okay, we'll stop. Sorry.

What's it all mean?
Your kids are going to repeat things. You are going to get annoyed. It's a necessary evil.

DID YOU HEAR

Please stop saying this to parents
The number one toxic phrase that EVERYONE says to parents? Some variation of, "Just you wait," or "Enjoy that now!"

As the fed up parents in this article explain, the phrase offers zero value and only serves to invalidate whatever you're experiencing in that particular moment. So the next time you hear someone talk about how their baby is sleeping through the night, don't respond with, "Oh, just give it a year or two and they'll be coming out of their bed constantly!" FIGHT THE URGE!

Sleepovers are so over
Apparently, sleepovers are a thing of the past and "sleepunders" are taking over. What that heck is a sleepunder? Well, it involves picking up your child just before bedtime, or in some cases, spending the night with them at a friend's house. Yes, it's a thing, and these parents are talking about it.

15 states say "no" to summer food aid for children
There's a new program set to be introduced this summer, which will provide low-income families with $120 for each eligible child, to buy them groceries during the summer when such assistance is not available in schools. The deadline for states to opt into the program was Jan 1, and these 15 states decided not to participate.

Are your kids getting these 6 important nutrients?
Kids need all the vitamins and minerals to fuel their growth, but according to the experts, there are six key nutrients that are just a little more important than the rest. Those include vitamin d, iron, zinc, and three more... can you guess what they are? Click here to find out.

This mom found a bandaid in her toddler's yogurt
... and it was covered in mold 🤢

A DOSE OF GOOD

BITES WITH KIYAH

You hear it a lot: Eat salmon. Filled with omega-3 fatty acids, regular intake of salmon has been shown to lower rates of stroke and heart disease, and may be protective against obesity and type-2 diabetes. Although there are so many varieties to choose from, recent evidence suggests that they are all powerhouses of nutrition, worth consuming when you can! But how to prepare?

Like this:

• Start with skin-on salmon fillets. Heat oven to 425.

• Make a mixture of Dijon mustard and brown sugar (start with 1:3 ratio, adjust to your taste).

• Salt and pepper the salmon.

• Place them skin-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet, and slather the tops with the mustard and brown sugar glaze.

• Roast for six minutes or so, then bump up heat to a broil for another 1-2 minutes to crisp the glaze.

• Serve with any side your family will actually eat!

Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on Instagram.

DEALS & FINDS

In the market for an air fryer that will actually look good on your kitchen counter? Walmart is selling Drew Barrymore's "Beautiful Air Fryer" for just $69. It's originally priced at $90.

Have an air fryer, but need a rice cooker? This one on Amazon is just $14.

And here are 8 healthy snacks for parents on the go. Our favorite? Boom Chicka Pop, obviously.

PARENTING WIN/FAIL

This week, loyal reader Rosie O. shares how proud she is of her working son!

All parenting wins are accepted here! Congrats to your son!

If you have a parenting win/fail you'd like to share, email us at [email protected] and your story will be featured in a future edition!

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked you how your New Year's resolutions were going and apparently, things aren't going so well. "Not great" and "honestly, it's rude of you to even ask" were the top choices. Sorry!

RECALLS

MORE QUAKER OATS PRODUCTS.

Might be best to stay away from Quaker Oats products for the near future. A couple weeks ago we told you they had recalled a variety of granola bars and cereals due to a potential salmonella contamination.

Now, they're adding even more products to the recalled list. This latest recall includes Cap'n Crunch bars and select Cap'n Crunch cereals, along with Quaker Oatmeal Squares, Gatorade Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars, and Munchies Munch Mix.

For a full list of recalled products and details on how to get a refund, click here.