“My son watches the same movie over and over”

Good to get away from so much screen time. Find out what else he might like to do or have him exercise while watching. If you can, keep food away. He might need an evaluation.

Does your child tend to repeat other activities, for example, does he rehearse songs, stories, is there a lot of repetition in his play? Does he repeat words frequently? If so, I would encourage you to contact a child psychologist and address your concern, Dr. Hirshfeld

Many children like the same movie or song and watch it over and over again. It generally is not something to worry about. If you notice other obsessive tendencies, it would be worth discussing with your pediatrician.

this can be a very normal behavior in a 6 year old - they enjoy the movie and enjoy watching it over and over. They point is that you only allow no more than 1 movie per day - keep the screen time to a minimum. He should be engaging in activities that engage his mind - reading - puzzles - or physical activities - riding a bike - exploring the backyard - jump rope - etc.

What you are experiencing is not completely uncommon in children that age. Like with any activity, it is up to you to put a limit to it. I'm also assuming that he is otherwise a healthy child with normal behavior and attitude. If you suspect or have any other behavioral concerns it would be a good idea to address it directly with your pediatrician. Hope this helps.

Do not worry about that. At his age he is between the Disney channel and Disney Junior channel. If you want, you can purchase or download other films and shows. Even if he says no, he will eventually watch the other ones and maybe get hooked on something different. So don't worry about him watching the same film over and over. It probably comforts him in a way and their concentration span is undeveloped at that age and that will absolutely do no harm. Enjoy him at that early age, they grow up so fast.

Have several conversions with your son about the movie. "What do you like the best
And least about the movie?"

Dr McInroy

Hello, children like routine and predictability. Most children have a "go to" movie(s) and will watch regularly. The trick in evaluating whether something is a problem is if it starts to create problems. Will he only watch that movie? Does he shunn all other things? Is he obsessive in areas of his life? Does he have interest in only one area of his life, e.g., knows everything about dinosaurs? If you believe he has any significant problems outside of the movie please schedule an appointment with a pediatric psychologist. If you desire do discuss this further please call my office to talk with me. I can be reached at 443-207-1809.
Thank you for the question and I hope the response was helpful.
Dr. Crone

He should be evaluated by your pediatrician for obsessive behaviors and for a social communication disorder, such as autism. While unusual, he may be experiencing extreme anxiety and he desires "sameness" and comforting repetition in his routine. He needs opportunities for structured play outside and more "green time" to help break this pattern of behavior.

I would like to find out some more info.

- his developmental milestones.
- When did he say his first word?
- his social skills.
- his ability to maintain eye contact and socialize with children of his age group.

Some children who engage in activities in this manner may be entirely normal, but to help with his diagnosis, more information of his language skills and social style is necessary.

Thanks very much for this very intriguing question.

It depends. Does he have this obsession with other things or situations as well? It can be normal if he really enjoys the movie and doesn't get upset if you turn it off. What is his reaction if someone else tries to get him off it? Temper tantrums, inflexibility, and refusal to change could signal an anxiety disorder or an autism spectrum disorder, it depends if it's a recurrent pattern with other situations as well, so check with a pediatric neurologist, pediatrician, child psychiatrist or child psychologist. It could just be a great movie worth watching repeatedly! This seemed to happen with the Disney movie Frozen for little girls. The key to your question is whether this seems to be a recurrent pattern with other things as well.

Actually, I do hear this from parents a lot, especially with a new movie. Don't be afraid to set limits on media time--the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 2 hours a day maximum for ALL media: TV, videos, iPads, gaming systems. Turn the television off and suggest other things to do: family games, puzzles, outside play, arts and crafts.

What is your standard for "normal"? Does watching block expected activity in kindergarten or play? It may just disappear; try to keep note without undue pressure or transmitting anxiety.

Dear Movie on Repeat,

Please keep in mind this reply is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment.

Many younger children enjoy the same experience over and over in ways that can make their parents crazy. Disney and other animated movies are a very common area for this along with some YouTube videos. Up to a certain point, this can be common for 6-year-olds.

The frequency and intensity you describe may be concerning. If your son has access to lots of other toys to play with and available playmates, but isn't very interested in them, then it may be an issue to look into. If your son is in school, you could ask them if they see the same intense focus there also. You could also ask his teacher if his social skills seem on target for his age. Ask if they think your son should have a developmental evaluation.

Even if school reports no concerns, I think it is always good for parents to "trust their gut" and get more information about concerns. You can address the issue to your pediatrician and ask at what level you should be concerned about repetitive media viewing. Also, note if your son has other repetitive behaviors like repeating parts of the movie over and over (especially when it's not playing), spinning, walking in circles, or hand flapping. After discussing with your pediatrician, you can ask if she or he recommends an evaluation and with what kind of professional, if needed.

Poor social skills along with intense focus may be signs of some developmental differences that merit specialist evaluation. Given that you have already developed some concerns, following up with the school and your pediatrician could be good next steps to see if your concerns are at levels where an evaluation would be a good idea.

Sincerely,

Todd Koser, Psy.D.
NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist

I understand your concern. Some children feel reassured by the same stimuli, does he watch it when he is tired or randomly throughout the day? Are there any other répétitive behaviors, such as répétitive play or repeating same sequence of words, or reciting portions of books or songs? To be able to better answer your question, I will need more information.


Kindly,
Dr. Hirshfeld