When do babies start to 'obey' commands...

[winnybella]

...without gestures?
My DD today handed me the phone and a shoe when I asked for it without pointing to them.
She is 10 1/2 months old.
Just out of curiosity, I know it's not important etc., it's just that she did it all of the sudden and really surprised me.
So...is it early or normal?

wow, thats incredibly early! my dd is nearly 10 months and she doesnt even know what a shoe is!

Mine were about 8 months old when I could say to them 'where does your hat go?' and they would point to their heads. They really started to understand a lot at that stage, although I'm not sure they would have been as helpful as your DD (still aren't).

Thank you for your replies.
Rochel, I think she has only figured out v.recently what a shoe is as I bought her a pair of winter boots and she's not very keen on having them on- so I think it must have stuck in her mind iyswim.
Wow, Fernie, that's amazing!

Around 8 or 9 months iirc. Used to be able to ask dd where something was and she'd get it or gesticulate at it. Knew where her head was and her toes etc.

'obey' well mine arent great at that! they do understand alot surprisingly early, and get alot of joy out of proving to you that they can do things.

I would suggest you make the most of it, my ds at 18 mo still loves the importance of being told to put something in the bin for me, pass me something at 3yrs old dd is far more whiney.

Yes, I remember at 9 months my dd2 surprising me when I asked where something was. I was just making conversation really but she pointed out where she had put it. I thought she must be a genius but it looks as though that's about par for the course!