1 Yr Old and Milestones

My son was not into books until a few months ago and he's 4! My daughter LOVED to read from the moment she was born so I was concerned with my son as you are with yours. Just give him time and maybe he'll grow to love reading like my son. I started taking him to our local library's story time and he loves it! We check out books every other week and he can't wait!

As for your other concerns, maybe he's just not interested for now. Try playing different types of music and dancing or singing with him or leave the music on while he's playig and see what he does. As with reading, they say music also enhances a child's learning ability.

Work on other learning skills too like when he's getting dressed, name every piece of clothing and which body part they go on. As time goes on, your son will start to participate with you. It makes getting dressed fun because my son was always proud when he named each item correct. Good luck and I wouldn't be too concerned...all kids are different and learn at different stages of their lives.

yes, you are a worry wort!!!
Relax....all kids do things at different times...my neice didnt walk until she was 18 months!
watch him the next few months to see what he is interested...my son at 20 months wont let me read a book to him for a million bucks...he's rather "shoot" - my living room is now a basketball court...but hey that's what he is good at and has the most fun at!!! Best of luck to you!!
AREN'T LITTLE BOYS THE BEST!!

I'd say yes! You're a great mom who wants the best for her child, as most of us do. It's hard sometimes to see other children doing things our children are not yet doing. I am a family development specialist. I teach parents how to interact with their children to keep them developing. I also screen children every 6 months to make sure they are one level. After reading your concerns I looked at a 1-year-old screening. It says nothing about clapping. I did find the child handing you a toy but it says sometimes they'll offer it to you but not give it up. As far as the book is concerned him flipping some pages is just what he should be doing! I also worked in day cares before and learned how to hike my voice up and down to get their little ears attention. Try changing your voice for each character, they like that! Overall I must say you seem to be doing a great job and I wouldn't say there are any concerns for you to worry about. Just remember children develop at their own speed. If you see another child doing something yours is not just remember he's unique! I have this little girl I've been working with who was barely speaking at 3. We were very concerned. So I'll usually work with the child once a week for a month then rescreen. Every time I went to her house she was speaking more and more. When she rescreened she did phenomenal. I honestly don't think it had anything to do with me. She did it all on her own. Perhaps she'll grow up to be a perfectionist and didn't want to talk until she knew she had every syllable down pact! Even when they worry you, they still surprise you.

You are a worry wart, but that's a good thing! My son, who is now 3.5 was never interested in clapping either. He thought it was funny, but could care less about doing it himself at that age. Now, he claps when there is a reason - not just to do it! :) I wouldn't worry too much about the book thing either. I read to my son since he was 3 days old. Everynight, right before bath and bed I would read him a short story. As he got older, the story/book got a little longer. He went through a period of not wanting anything to do with books - he was too interested in learning how to walk and talk and do more physical things. Now, at 3.5, he LOVES to be read to and asks all sorts of questions about the book and answers what I ask him! About the toys - be thankful he's not throwing them at you since he's just one!! :) My son would tease me when I would ask him to do something - he knew exactly what i wanted, but mr funny man would just grin and run the other way - it was his way of being funny and playing with mommy! As he gets older each month, he'll start doing what you want... you can always suggest "if you give mommy that toy I'll <fill in what you know he loves to do - for example, plays chase with you"... that worked with my son when he was younger! Hope this helps!

I'd say you are worrying to much! Which is normal. Just keep working on the things that you think he is behind on. my son didn't walk till he was 14 months old. he has always loved books. but won't high five anyone. And don't really talk at all.

I would say not to worry about it. You say he's energetic - he probably doesn't want to stop and sit still too long. He's taking everything in, his attention span isn't long at that age. My son was the same way!
I think you're doing fine, just keep looking at books every day for however long he wants to look. Eventually he'll become interested in the story and the pictures and he'll want you to read to him. Same with the other things. Don't stress about it, just have fun with him!
My son is almost 3 and I used to worry if he didn't hit every single little milestone at the "right" time. But every kid is different, and is interested in different things. Boys seem to take a bit longer to learn some things I think. I would talk to your son's doctor if you're really worried though.

Hi T.,

My son will be turning a year old in September, and he is clapping, and walking around a lot with less and less help from objects he can use for support, but he isn't extremely interested in books either. It's been within the last month or so that he can hold a book without the burning desire to tear it to shreds. We read to him occasionally, but VERY short books that don't require his undivided attention. I figure he's just too active right now to sit still for that long. I'm not really worried about it though. Each child is different and regardless of milestones and whatever else people use to make you feel competitive about your child's development, your son will eventually sit down and enjoy reading books with you. He'll also learn to clap. It might not happen tomorrow, but I wouldn't panic that it isn't happening right now.

Not everyone fits into a neat little box. We all develop at our own pace, and honestly, I'm personally tired of this desire to compare children as if they were show dogs or something like that. Your son will be able to do all of those things sooner or later. Don't worry. If he's healthy and happy, so what if he isn't interested in clapping. Maybe he just hasn't heard the right song to get him into the mood...

My kids exhibited similar behaviors. My daughter is two and still won't do patty cake. However she is active, inquisitive, feisty and interested in puzzles, baby dolls, brushing her hair, building with blocks and dancing to music, among other things. Patty cake just doesn't seem to interest her.

I would keep offering those activities to your son. He enjoys watching you play patty cake and he will become more interested in books as time goes on - he most likely just doesn't have the attention span right now. I don't think my kids followed directions such as "bring me the ball" until closer to 18 months. At 12 months they were learning to walk and excited about exploring.