When Will Baby Clap and What Does it Mean?
- Babies usually start clapping around 10-12 months, often becoming noticeable near their first birthday.
- Clapping helps babies connect and communicate with others, imitating caregivers to show excitement.
- Encourage clapping by modeling the behavior and playing interactive games. Consult a healthcare provider if your baby isn’t clapping by their first birthday.
When will baby clap?
Baby clapping their hands is a 10-12 month motor milestone. They may start bringing their hands together at an earlier age, but it will become clapping around their first birthday.
For baby, clapping is more than just a motor skill!
Baby claps when they are trying to connect with another person or animal. When baby’s caregiver is having fun with them, the caregiver may clap their hands, which is how baby learns what this means. In other words, their trying to connect with you by doing what they’ve seen you do. So clapping is an important social-emotional skill too!
Baby’s talking skills are still developing at 10-12 months, so clapping is another way they can connect and communicate with others. As baby gets better at clapping, they will use it more and more to connect with others and communicate they are excited and having fun.
How can I help baby learn to clap?
Baby learns to clap because they see their caregiver doing it. So one of the best ways to help baby learn to clap is by clapping yourself! Clap when:
- Playing together and having fun
- Praising baby for something they did
- After completing a task (like eating or reading a book)
- Singing a song or dancing
You can also play games that involve clapping with baby! Try games like:
- Pat-a-cake: This common nursery rhyme involves clapping. When baby can start sitting up on their own (around 4-6 months), help them clap their hands together while singing the rhyme.
- Peek-a-boo: When appearing after peek-a-boo, clap when appearing or when baby tries to find you.
- Baby See, Baby Do: Sit across from baby, facing them. Say: “Do what I do!” Make a funny face, stick out your tongue. Clap when they copy you. Use other parts of your body as well – hands, arms – encouraging them to do what you do. (This game is recommended for baby at 13-19 months).
What if baby doesn’t clap?
Baby clapping is a 10-12 month motor milestone, and it’s always important to ask a healthcare provider about a milestone if baby misses it. So if baby isn’t clapping after their first birthday, ask a healthcare provider to learn more.
