Repeating an activity which might require multiple sequential steps, and which interests the learner who repeats it many times for no apparent reason, stopping suddenly only when the inner need which compelled the activity has been satisfied, (Haines)

“…That is why children like naturally to have exercises which are complete in themselves, even though they serve no direct outer purpose. The exercises are a preparation which leads to being able to imitate. They do what they see done in the environment and they indulge in a series of exercises which have no external purpose but are a preparation for the activity which is to come. This is what we call “cycles of activity". (Montessori, Maria, Communications, 1978, 3-4 p. 1, Lecture, from the Course given in London in 1946)