2 year old memorizing and reciting books - normal?

[Anonymous]

I get new books for my 2 year old every couple weeks at the library. After I have read a book a few times it seems like he has it memorized. If I skip a sentence because I'm rushing he will say you have to say ... and recite the sentence I missed. He also will recite parts of books while doing other things. Is this a normal toddler thing? Autism has never been a concern, his doctors pretty much said he doesn't have any signs of it and he is very social. He will also ask me to repeat certain sentences I say over and over like he is trying to memorize them.

[Anonymous]

Not unusual

[Anonymous]

Normal

[Anonymous]

Nothing to worry about. Nothing extraordinary unless he truly memorizes and can accurately recite an entire book after only a few (like 2-3) readings. Repeating a few lines he likes to say probably means you are picking good books!

[Anonymous]

My parents have recordings of me doing that at that age. I think it is a typical things
. It is great your child loves books so much!

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks. I was getting a little concerned about Aspergers tonight while he sat in the bath tub reciting a book I only read a few times.

[Anonymous]

It's a sign of a good auditory memory, combined with a toddler's love of repetition. The first is a strength, and the second is totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok thanks. I was getting a little concerned about Aspergers tonight while he sat in the bath tub reciting a book I only read a few times.

It is something that happens with Asperger's kids, but it is also something that happens with other kids. How is DC otherwise? Does the kid make eye contact? Cuddle? Play normally? Point at things? Bring things to show you? Respond to hugs?

If the answer is "yes," to those things, it's nothing to worry about. Let the idea go. If you see some of these other things, you may want to keep it in the back of your head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok thanks. I was getting a little concerned about Aspergers tonight while he sat in the bath tub reciting a book I only read a few times.

It is something that happens with Asperger's kids, but it is also something that happens with other kids. How is DC otherwise? Does the kid make eye contact? Cuddle? Play normally? Point at things? Bring things to show you? Respond to hugs?

If the answer is "yes," to those things, it's nothing to worry about. Let the idea go. If you see some of these other things, you may want to keep it in the back of your head.

Totally normal in those areas, just a fixation on memorizing.

[Anonymous]

Totally normal. I have twins and at that age, they are little sponges. They listen and fixate and remember things. They used to recite Goodnight Moon with us in chorus as we read.

[Anonymous]

From your description, I would say he has excellent memory, as well as an aptitude and interest in language. All wonderful, and exciting!
It may not automatically mean he will read early, but don't worry about that. He seems like a bright kid.

[Anonymous]

Is this is a humblebrag or paranoid "is my kid autistic" post?



(totally normal, OP, there is nothing wrong with your child. And FWIW, if we haven't read a book in a month or two, my 2 1/2 year old forgets the words)

[Anonymous]

Yep, normal - but sounds like a humble brag to me. Mine was reciting the words of her Dr. Suess books back to me after a few readings together. These days she sings the words of numerous songs that she hears in preschool. I'm just happy that she's happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get new books for my 2 year old every couple weeks at the library. After I have read a book a few times it seems like he has it memorized. If I skip a sentence because I'm rushing he will say you have to say ... and recite the sentence I missed. He also will recite parts of books while doing other things. Is this a normal toddler thing? Autism has never been a concern, his doctors pretty much said he doesn't have any signs of it and he is very social. He will also ask me to repeat certain sentences I say over and over like he is trying to memorize them.

OP,

Autism can't be boiled down to just one trait; people also can't diagnose your kid over the Internet. What you're describing is called echolalia. Not all kids with autism do it; and kids can do it without being autistic. I wouldn't worry about it unless it doesn't begin to fade over the next year. I'd consider an evaluation with an SLP if he continues to ask you repeat certain sentences--this can be a sign of a receptive speech delay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this is a humblebrag or paranoid "is my kid autistic" post?



(totally normal, OP, there is nothing wrong with your child. And FWIW, if we haven't read a book in a month or two, my 2 1/2 year old forgets the words)

I'm going with humblebrag.

Op, it's normal. Kids are wired to imitate. It's how they learn language.