You’ve just splurged on a trip to the zoo and all your toddler wants to do is go through the entrance turnstile over and over again.

Child-development expert Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D., notes that while this classic toddler behavior can be frustrating, you shouldn't discourage it.

Toddlers can hyper-focus on mastering a new, fascinating activity—even while most of the time they seem to flit from 1 thing to the next.

If you need to move on, prepare your child to anticipate a new activity: “Let’s go through the turnstile 3 more times and then go find the elephants!”

Disclaimer: This page is not intended to provide medical advice about your child. Always seek the advice of a physician, qualified healthcare provider or child-development specialist with any questions you have about your child's health, medical condition or development. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you read here.