The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Learn more about our guidelines Show I just took my son to his 1 year appointment and he's still not waving, clapping, or pointing. He will reach for things he wants and if he wants me to pick him up he comes over to me and reaches up. The pediatrician said to give it until his 15 month appointment to see if maybe there is something wrong. He seems social with other babies when I bring him to play groups. He's super interested in big kids and whatever they are doing. He smiles, laughs, makes good eye contact, and responds to his name. He babbles a lot but doesn't have any real words yet, just lots of mamma, dada, baba stuff. Just wondering if anyone else out there had a toddler who hadn't met these milestones by a year, did things turn out okay or is it really a big red flag? Freaking out a little! Part of me thinks he's just being difficult and stubborn because he seems so normal otherwise, but I can't help but worry. Reply 20+ Similar Discussions Found
Here’s when your baby may pull these new tricks out of her onesie sleeves. Back to Top Babies start communicating long before they can say a single word. From her first smile to her first laugh, your little one’s nonverbal communication skills are on a fast track from birth, and for good reason: She wants to be understood, especially by you! As your baby’s motor control develops, she’ll discover that her little hands and fingers can help get your attention. Here’s everything you need to know about these baby gestures. When should a baby wave, clap and point?When babies copy the sounds and gestures of others, it’s more than just a cute trick — it’s a sign that they’re learning nonverbal communication skills. It’s the step that comes right before they develop the ability to communicate with words.
And your baby won't just point to indicate things that she likes (and wants you to appreciate too) — although that's impressive enough. She’ll also point to indicate actions she wants to make, things she wants, things she remembers and even things that aren't there anymore. Which may explain why she keeps pointing at the tree where she saw a squirrel a few days ago. Continue Reading Below Read This NextHow to teach your baby to wave, clap and pointEach child learns these skills at her own pace, but you can help encourage her along with these steps.
Remember that this is another building block of language development, which lays the foundation for everything from toddler tantrums to teenage heart-to-hearts. It’s also another sign of your baby’s growing relationship with the world around her — she’s learning that you are a separate (but oh-so-important!) person in her life. So marvel at those busy baby hands! When to talk to your doctorBy 9 to 12 months, most babies are able to clap, wave and point — though if your munchkin hasn’t mastered these skills yet, that’s not necessarily a cause for concern. Your pediatrician will likely ask about your baby’s nonverbal communication skills by the 1-year well visit. If she’s not waving, clapping or pointing at that time — and she’s not showing signs of any other developmental delays — your doctor may check her again at the 15-month visit. If you’re concerned about your baby’s development — for example, you have a gut feeling that something’s awry, or a formerly mastered skill has disappeared — talk to your pediatrician. You know your baby best, and addressing any potential developmental issues (such as by taking advantage of services like early intervention) will set her up for the best chance of success. In the meantime, keep practicing clapping, waving and pointing together, and your baby should get there on her own timeline. As for what's next? Once your baby masters milestones like waving, clapping and pointing, she’ll start using these gestures in more complex ways to get what she wants. She may point at things for you to name, grab toys to play with, wave when saying goodbye or clap to get you to clap along with her. As her curiosity increases, you can also start teaching her new things, like pointing to body parts, or following simple verbal commands paired with gestures. Seize the opportunity to introduce her to the verbal companions to their actions. Remember — right now, your baby’s mental vocabulary is far more advanced than her speaking vocabulary, so provide lots of opportunities for her vocabulary to grow by communicating with her. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Was this article helpful? When should I worry that my baby is not clapping?By 9 to 12 months, most babies are able to clap, wave and point — though if your munchkin hasn't mastered these skills yet, that's not necessarily a cause for concern. Your pediatrician will likely ask about your baby's nonverbal communication skills by the 1-year well visit.
How can I get my 1 year old to clap?Your baby will start to be trying to copy you so if you clap your hands together they will gradually start to copy and bring their own hands together. Also try holding your baby's hands together and saying “clap, clap, clap”. Lots of smiles and positive praise will help this along.
Why is my baby not waving or clapping?If your baby is meeting other common milestones for their age but isn't waving yet, it's probably not a cause for concern. It just means the little switch in their brain that connects “hi” or “bye-bye” to a waving hand motion hasn't been flipped yet. Don't worry — it will happen! But only when your baby is ready.
Is clapping a developmental milestone?There are myriad reasons your baby learning how to clap is a big deal developmentally. For one, it shows that your child is learning how to communicate to you (and the rest of the world around them) how they feel. This kind of nonverbal communication paves the way for verbal communication.
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