Children repeat activities when they are deeply interested in them. Repetition only helps a child if they are interested in the activity; therefore, allow them to observe, and you observe to help in identifying materials that may be of more interest. They are still taking in information when they are only watching – but not at the same level as they would be if they were actually manipulating materials.

One suggestion would be to identify a piece of material the child is knowledgeable of and ask that child to present it to another child.

We don’t really know why a child chooses not to manipulate a piece of material but we must never pressure a child to repeat. If they need to repeat, are interested in repeating, they will. If they do not need to repeat a piece of material, they won’t, no matter what the adult says or does. Accept the child; continue to give them presentations on materials they may be interested in. Trust that when a child needs to repeat – in order to gain a fuller understanding – they will. Keep presenting until you/the child encounters a piece of material that truly captures their interest. Once it is captured with one piece of material, it often leads to engagement with another.