Learning to clap.

[Lolli]

Hi all,
My ds still hasn't learnt to clap. When the mcn did his 12 month check, she said not to be concernced yet, leave it a few more months till we worry.

He doesn't point either, but I am not a big pointer. He more gestures to things with his hand like I do. i'm not really a big clapper either (or I wasn't- I am now I'm trying to teach him!) So maybe that's the reason.

He does try... if we clap his hand sfor him, or the other babies at mg are clapping, he look at his hand and either 'wave' with them both at the same time (scrunching them open and closed) or hold his hands together and moves them up and down. Very cute, but not clapping

Other fine motor skills seem ok- he can pick things up and put them down, put balls through small holes, and things like that...
So.. should I be worried? Any other late clappers out there?

[Visitor8]

I wouldn't be worried, my boys were both clapping at 6 and 8 months respectively but then I used to clap a lot (with the open shut them song)
Just teach him He will get it! Sounds so cute what he is doing hehe

[Ellibam]

He does try... if we clap his hand sfor him, or the other babies at mg are clapping, he look at his hand and either 'wave' with them both at the same time (scrunching them open and closed) or hold his hands together and moves them up and down. Very cute, but not clapping

this is him learning to clap...it wont be long

[MantaRay]

I was a bit worried about DS1 for a while as he learnt to clap later than other kids we know. But then he did other things earlier, so I think kids just all learn things in a different order. And as you say, he will pick up the skills that he has been most exposed to first. So don't worry.

[BhoysGirl]

My DS was clapping at around 8 months, but pointing took much longer, probably 14 months. And I "worked" at the clappping, he is, after all, my own personal trained monkey, so he must have tricks.

Seriously, your MCN sounds a bit sensible by telling you not to worry yet, there's a wide range of "normal" for kids, and from what you've described your DS is doing plenty of things anyway.

[Lolli]

And I "worked" at the clappping, he is, after all, my own personal trained monkey, so he must have tricks.

Of course

Well my SIL actually said he was clapping this morning when she babysat him, but she does like to pretend all his 'firsts' happen in front of her I'm going to near fall off my chair with excitement when he does do it....

C'mon little man

[Campari]

My DD was walking at 11 months, but not clapping til 13 months, despite me clapping all day every day trying to convince her to do it!! After she clapped once, and figured it out, she has never stopped!

[Ozziehoffy]

Oh I remember my mother trying to FORCE Oskar to clap... he was about 6/7 months old and she kept saying... he needs to learn to clap... ummmm yes he will when he is READY!! I can't remember how old he was, but he did learn and was older than some others who were clapping already. He did some other things before some of them though, so it really balances itself out anyway. I wouldn't be worried

[ShootingStar]

DS first clapped in February this year! So thats 17 months old. And as much as i tried to get him to clap.. he would never clap for me. He would clap my hands together but never his. He could do everything else.. stack blocks, put them in holes, whatever his milestones were, he met them. Then one day, of all things.. he was watching Go Diego Go. And where Diego sings "Clap your hands with me, clap clap clap", DS just started clapping and then continued to every day for Diego! Since he now claps. I think he always could, it was just getting the right moment for him to start iykwim. So dont worry too much, he is fine and will be fine.. i bet hes just waiting for the right moment

[Roryrory]

DS 1 clapped, waved and pointed really late (maybe 18 months) and walked at 15 months - I was so worried he was autistic til 3moths because he hardly cried. He is 2.5 years now and an absolute chatterbox (last night's gem was "I'm going to Antarcica to see the polar bears" - ok, so his geography is not that flash).

Compare with DS 2 - claps, points, waves - the lot. Cries heaps. Walks around furniture at 11 months. Textbook baby.

Lori, all kids are different. They say that but its really true!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I know my DS is younger than yours but he is not clapping either and shows absolutely no sign of it. The closest we get is both hands going up and down but even that is very occassional.
He looks like a very healthy little boy and am sure he is just fine!

[Ezz]

I was worried about my DS too because he wasn't clapping when all the other mum's group babies were. He finally started to clap at 11.5 months. I had been singing clapping songs for months & trying to get him to do it - but really, I think he just waited until he was ready! (In fact, when he finally did it, he was just sitting in his highchair waiting for me to clean him up - and I didn't prompt him at all).

I'm sure your DS will just do it when he's ready

Now it's time to worry about him not saying any words.... (hahaha)

[JordieC]

It's so good to read threads like this cause it just proves how different all our bubs are! My DD clapped at 8 months - prob her first real deliberate thing and of course we were excited but she hasn't done things like standing or walking yet so they do achieve things differently.

Just remember - when they get to primary school in prep you won't find barely a kid who can't clap or walk (well YKWIM). I worry lots to when I see other kids doing things Mackenzie isn't then remember she does things they aren't so it all works out.

[Lolli]

Just an update- ds finally learned to clap yesterday afternoon I left him in front of Play School for five minutes while I hung the washing out. When I got back, Brooke Satchwell was clapping and so was he...

He's very proud of himself (and, of course, I'm so excited!)