Baby doesnt clap hands

Posted: Wed, Jun 23 2010, 3:56 pm Post subject: Baby doesnt clap hands

My DC doesnt clap hands and is already one years old.
The Tipat Chalav use this as one of the expected things that a one year old should be able to do.
Although the daycare sings songs and claps hands with the children, my child is the only one who doesnt do it.
Is this strange? Does this show a certain level of intelligence in a child? What if my child doesnt do it right by the next visit? Whats the verdict going to be?
Otherwise my child is pretty intelligent, at least I think so. Very Happy

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3554

I can't answer from a medical perspective, but I know that clapping hands shows that the baby can mentally cross from one side of the body to the other ("crossing the midline"). Google that for some "exercises" you can do with your baby, if you're really concerned. You can also try "bilateral coordination."

Gold Member Joined: Jul 26 2009 Posts: 1482

Clapping hands is not an indicator of intelligence, but it might be an issue with his gross motor skills. I personally don't think there's any cause for concern just yet, but I'm not a therapist and I might be wrong. If you're worried, you can have him evaluated to see if he needs physical therapy.

Posted: Thu, Jun 24 2010, 1:34 am Post subject: re: Baby doesnt clap hands

It can never hurt to check if it's a problem, discuss with therapists etc. That being said, just remember who told you this - Tipat Chalav! You should take everything they say with a huge grain of salt. Which means, check it out cuz why not, but don't be nervous because they tend to overreact. Hatzlacha!
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That's the way the cookie crumbles...

Senior Member Joined: Jul 09 2009 Posts: 124

My oldest started clapping his hands at 6 months. My second didnt clap till he was 13 months, I was getting nervous, but there was absolutley nothing wrong with him otherwise he was other wise devloping normaly. I was releived when he did start.
I dont think there is anything to worry about, he'll get it eventually.

Gold Member Joined: Sep 22 2009 Posts: 1740

Gold Member Joined: Jul 26 2008 Posts: 2096

Neither does mine. Or actually, he started in the past few days and he's almost 13 months. He also doesn't point, wave or talk, so I am a little concerned.

I don't think it's an indication of intelligence, especially since there are several types of intelligence (logical, social, emotional, spacial, etc)

Silver Member Joined: Aug 12 2009 Posts: 628

My DD is also 1 yo and just started clapping hands very very recently. Give your child ssome time, I would say...

Posted: Sun, Jun 27 2010, 2:49 am Post subject: re: Baby doesnt clap hands

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Posted: Sun, Jun 27 2010, 3:37 am Post subject: re: Baby doesnt clap hands

if you know anyone whos had kids that got therapy for something like this, give them a call. DS had trouble feeding himself and I was worried about his fine motor skills. here they don't refer you for therapy unless they think its super super necessary, so I got some advice and looked online for 'excercises' to practice. after a month or so he started feeding himself, was able to stack blocks, play with certain toys, color, and other hand/eye skills he couldn't do before. if I remember correctly it was about using hands together (like holding a toy with both hands, passing it from one hand to another) and heightening sensitivity (we played with shaving foam and I put dry pasta in a huge bowl for him to sift through etc)
don't know if that helps, just thought I would add..