Copycat clapping
6–12 monthsEmotional WellbeingNo materials needed
Clap your hands together and encourage your child to copy you. When they make any hand movement, clap again and celebrate. Take turns being the leader. You can also copy movements your child makes, showing them that social interaction goes both ways. This builds imitation skills and connection.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Clap your hands together and encourage your child to copy you. When they make any hand movement, clap again and celebrate. Take turns being the leader. You can also copy movements your child makes, showing them that social interaction goes both ways. This builds imitation skills and connection.
Why It Works
Imitation is a critical social skill that develops during this age range. When you copy each other, your child learns that their actions affect others and that social interaction is rewarding. Responsive interaction through these back-and-forth exchanges builds the social brain circuitry essential for lifelong relationships (Harvard Center on the Developing Child, 2016).
Tips for Parents
At first, your child may just wave their hands or bang them together. Any attempt at copying counts as success.
Add simple sounds like "yay" or "clap clap" to make the game more engaging and help your child connect actions with words.
Try copying other simple actions too, like waving bye-bye or touching your head. Variety keeps your child interested.
Materials Needed
None
Learning Methods
Responsive InteractionRepetition and Routine
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