With your help, your infant can build on this exciting small motor skill, combining clapping with other hand movements like rolling and patting. However, many babies won't be able to play patty-cake on their own until 12 months.

When did your baby start clapping?

The takeaway

As early as 7 months of age, your little one may begin showing signs of hand movement mastery by waving or bringing their hands close together. By 9 months, many babies are able to clap (although at this point, it's in imitation, not celebration).

What does playing patty cake mean?

: a game in which two participants (such as mother and child) clap their hands together to the rhythm of an accompanying nursery rhyme.