Why Do Children Repeat Your Questions?

Why do children repeat questions?
We all repeat parts or the whole question when we don’t understand something. It’s only human to ask for clarification. Now, you might say that we would say “could you repeat again?” or “I don’t understand”... However, children do not have the required vocabulary to say that to you. So most of the time when they repeat questions, it means that they do not understand the question.

It becomes a routine!
Another reason is that it has become a routine to copy what you say. Children use imitation to learn a language (actually all of us do). It’s typical for delayed children to inappropriately use a question to express something they are familiar with. For example, I had a student who would say “are you okay?” whenever he fell down. That’s because he heard it from the mother so many times. To fix this, all the mother gave the correct word to say when he fell down instead of asking the question.

Model the language you want to hear
For children to say the correct phrase at the correct time and context, all we need to do is to show and tell what s/he should say in that situation. So if you do ask a question, model the answer immediately!

[Kiely]

My son had the same problem. Although he passed that stage, I really hope that I saw your message earlier so that I can help him out.

[jennylynarevalo]

The "Are you ok?" Scenario is very true.
I applied your advice, and my son can say "Ouchie, it hurts." Thanks a lot.
Very interested in your parent coaching plan.

[Lifeinuktesttips]

Thank you so much my child is doing this and now I can help him

[varshasharma]

Hello...my 3 year old son, when he want something he keeps saying it again and again until he gets what he wants...is it normal...coz he doesn't know how to wait...and that's why he doesn't pay attention to what i am saying...what should I do to teach him to wait...

[ljhoffma]

My son’s preschool teacher says he echos her whenever she speaks with him. When he’s interacting with my husband or with me, he rarely echos and seems to answer questions appropriately and initiate conversation. What would cause him to parrot certain people and not others?

(He was recently evaluated by a developmental psychologist who said he was not on the ASD spectrum.)