My son is 12.5 months and I am wondering when he is going to become a bit more interactive. I see lots of other babies his age (on instagram - the worst place for comparing your child!). However, he doesn't clap / wave yet or really seem to understand anything I'm saying whereas other babies his age seem to be able to understand things like "where's your head" or "clap your hands" etc. He does clap when he's excited but has absolutely no idea what I'm saying when I ask him to clap his hands! We sing nursery rhymes and sing heads, shoulders knees and toes etc. And we read a lot of books with sounds and I show him what the animals are, what they look like, what they sound like. But he doesn't really seem to be interacting with me at all! When we play peekaboo he pulls my hands away from my eyes but that's about it. He can flip through his own books - he goes over to his toy box, takes his books out and flicks through them, and books with flaps he knows what to do when we turn each page.
I guess what I'm asking is - at 12.5 months should he be understanding me more than he is? Or should I just not worry and he'll do it in his own time. I'm not worried about him and he's such a lovely boy, I know comparison is the thief of joy but I don't want to be ignoring signs that I should be picking up on and asking the HV for advice.
What age did your children become more interactive?
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At what age did your baby start understanding more?
eloise19888 · 13/05/2020 10:38
I know comparison is the thief of joy but I don't want to be ignoring signs that I should be picking up on and asking the HV for advice.
I totally agree that you shouldn't compare but if he's not understanding at 12 months, I'd ask the HV if she can assess him. It may be nothing but probably best to bring it to her attention 
I would mention it to the HV too just for peace of mind... However, my niece was like this, my sister a little concerned that she wasn't as 'bright'as her older brother, not understanding etc. And then seemingly OVERNIGHT she just got it, understood simple sentences, following comands, started saying words, the lot! They are all different 
It could be that is understanding loads and just taking it all in. My 14 month just popped out with “nana” when we opened the cupboard and he saw the bananas the other day even though it’s not something I had been particularly trying to ‘teach’ him, but will he point to his knees when I sing the song? Not a chance!
I think they copy what they feel like even if all the other stuff may be going in too. A bit like children at school having a favourite subject, that’s where they’re going to excel but it doesn’t mean they don’t still learn during the other lessons.
Overall I would say not to worry about it at all, however it’s still not a silly question to ask your HV for peace of mind.
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