When Do Babies Start Clapping and How to Encourage Them?

5 min read

Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting..

When Do Babies Start Clapping

A baby’s growth is closely monitored by new parents, who watch for signals like eye contact, grins, laughter, and eventually things such as sitting up, creeping, or even walking as indicators that their child is on track. These little achievements—like clapping—are just as significant as those that make you feel like you’ve accomplished anything. Claims of admiration, delight, and excitement are not the only reasons to clap. A baby’s cognitive and motor ability development reaches a new high point when they reach this developmental milestone. When do babies start clapping is the question most parents may have.

It is important to keep in mind that every baby’s growth is unique. Baby will not be able to clap precisely right away, so expect to witness a variety of claps as they get more adept at the activity. At first, your baby may mimic your clapping, but they will miss the last step of placing their hands together to complete it. Bringing hands together and monitoring the hands they meet takes time to build arm strength, vision, and coordination.

In This Article

When Do Babies Start Clapping?
Why Do Babies Clap Hands?
List of Top 5 Activities to Encourage Your Baby to Clap Hands
What to Do if Your Baby isn’t Clapping?
When to Consult a Doctor?
FAQ’s

When Do Babies Start Clapping?

Most babies are able to clap by the time they reach their first birthday. Here are a few things to know about clapping in babies.

When a baby is nine months old, they can sit up, push and pull themselves up with their hands, and begin to crawl. This is the time they start exhibiting the ability to clap. Their strong upper body also aids in their ability to clap.
Initially, your infant will copy your actions by clapping in response. Even if it is a song or folk song that your youngster has a soft spot for, they’ll be inspired to join in when they see you applauding.
Babies’ brains are aroused when they observe an adult do a physical activity, per a 2013 research. This activation also aids them in completing the work.
Your baby may figure that clapping is a form of communication by the time they are one year old and start clapping to express happiness or gratitude, rather than mimicking you.

Why Do Babies Clap Hands?

parents clapping with baby

Your baby may figure that clapping is a form of communication by the time they are one year old and start clapping to express happiness or gratitude, rather than mimicking you.

It is simple to get a baby to clap their hands if you follow these steps: Have some fun with the baby! Consider the following:

1. Games

Clapping activities are great for teaching babies the proper clapping action. The best way to get a baby to join is to smile and sing along.

2. Clapping Your Hands For the Baby’s Sake

Can you confirm that baby managed to get the stone into shape sorter all by herself? Could you give her a standing ovation? Clap when your child performs something well or achieves something. You teach her that applauding is an acceptable reaction to a successful endeavor.

[Read : Stimulating Activities For An Infant]

List of Top 5 Activities to Encourage Your Baby to Clap Hands

Activities to Encourage Baby to Clap Hands

Here is a list of top 5 activities parents can try to encourage their baby to clap hands:

1. Pat-a-Cake

Pat-a-cake is not only for your baby’s cerebral stimulation; it helps them learn the fundamentals of clapping. Once they have have mastered the skill, you may increase your efforts to reinforce it.

2. Clap Along With Your Baby

Clap along to the beat of the music playing in the background. Play some music. You can assist your infant in clapping their hands by sitting with them on your lap.

It is a good idea to put on your favourite playlist if infants’ music drives you crazy; your baby won’t notice the difference if the rhythm is excellent.

3. Clap For Your Baby

Acknowledge and show when it is appropriate to applaud your little one. It is appropriate to exclaim, “Yay!” as Grandma blows out her birthday cake candles. Let your infant witness you clapping for Grandma.

4. Teach Variations

Make an effort to clap at a variety of speeds. While a parent, it is essential to keep things fresh and exciting for your baby by varying the tempo of your clapping for you to sit together.

5. Don’t Forget The High-Fives

Give plenty of high fives to your baby! You may use this to assist your infant in developing hand-eye coordination and educate them that slapping hands together is a sign of happiness.

What to Do if Your Baby isn’t Clapping?

There’s no cause to panic if your kid doesn’t learn cheering and clapping until close to their first birthday. If you still feel concerned after that, you can approach the doctor

When to Consult a Doctor?

Nonverbal communication is something your pediatrician is likely to inquire about during the 1-year checkups. If your baby is not displaying any other indicators of developmental delay and isn’t waving, clapping, or pointing at a particular time, your doctor may do another examination at the 15-month checkups.

Waving or bringing hands close together may be evidence of hand movement expertise as early as seven months. Many babies can clap by the time they are nine months old (although it’s more of an imitation than a celebration). After that, the pointing begins.

Recall that every baby’s growth and development follow a unique pattern. If your baby cannot clap by the time they are a year old, do not stress. Beyond a year, if there seems to be no improvement, you can always take medical help.

[Read : Developmental Delays in Babies]

FAQ’s

1. Is it Okay For My 10 Month Old to Clap?

Expect your baby to start clapping about 8 or 9 months of age, when the baby can sit up independently. It may take a few months before the baby perfects the skill of clapping. According to the CDC, clapping may take a youngster up to 15 months to perfect.

2. Is Clapping an Essential Milestone?

Yes, clapping is an essential milestone. It signifies physical development as clapping involves proper coordination. In addition, clapping also shows emotional development.

3. My Baby isn’t Clapping. Should I Worry?

If your baby has not mastered clapping, waving, or pointing by the time they are 9 to 12 months old, it is not always a reason for alarm. Nonverbal communication is something your physician is likely to inquire about during the 1-year checkups.

Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

Have a baby?

Baby Basics