How can it be possible that an 8-month-old baby can snap their fingers – and in time to music? Well, the baby in this Q&A does, and we take a look at why this may be.
Can your baby do the same? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Mom’s Question:
When can a baby snap fingers..? This is a silly question, but my baby is only just turned 8 months old and already clicks her fingers IN TIME to music!!
Do you know the average or earliest age that babies/children do this? I’ve tried “googling” for the answer… even “Guinness Book of Records” failed to answer my question.
Many thanks,
Jamie-Lee, Australia
When Can Babies Snap Fingers? Let’s Do A Survey!
Actually, no, I don’t know the average age for being able to snap fingers, but I’ve never heard of a baby that snaps her fingers so early and even in time to the music! I even asked around among some other moms I know, but I think your daughter is unique! It sounds hilarious!
Maybe the next generation Australian Rock Star..? :-)
A quick Youtube search reveals some babies that snap their fingers at around 10 months of age.
Have a look at the video here:
What Developmental Milestones are Required to Snap Fingers (In Time to Music)
The Pincer Grasp
Considering that babies start developing their pincer grasp at around 8-month-old, I can see why it would be possible for an 8-month-old baby to learn to snap their fingers. Snapping fingers is a very similar finger movement to the pincer grasp. But in addition to the pincer grasp, it also takes strength.
Moving to Music
Kicking or moving or moving their body in time to music, is something that babies can develop early – already during their first months of living. Actually, even neonates have been shown to react to rhythms, although at that age (less than 28 days old), babies have no control over their limbs and can’t move to the rhythm with intention.
But… the combination – to have developed the pincer grasp movement into snapping fingers and doing it in time to music at this young age, sounds quite unique. :-)
Baby music classes sound like a fun activity to stimulate her rhythmic talent further.
Hey parents, when did your children start to snap fingers? Let’s make our own investigation here. Write a comment below!
Warm wishes,
Paula
Read Next
- 8 Month Baby Milestones, Games To Play And Toy Tips
- My 8 Month Old Is So Fussy
- All posts tagged “8-month-old”
Research References
Misirliyan SS, Boehning AP, Shah M. Development Milestones. 2023 Mar 16. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32491450.
Marcel Zentner, Tuomas Eerola. Rhythmic engagement with music in infancy March 15, 2010 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1000121107
Find comments below.
Comments |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
| We have changed to a new commenting system. Add your comments below. |
Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.
My son started snapping at 12 months 😁 he’s 15 months now and has protected it! But he started snapping bc I snapped at him to pick up his toys and he snaps back at me 😂
Haha, they learn by imitating us! Wonderful!
My baby was about eight months when he started snapping his fingers. His twin brother didn’t so then I started worrying maybe this was something strange but with these answers here it seems like that’s about the average age for some babies to be able to do this.
I’ve never snapped my fingers before and i’m 11.
Well look at that, I’m 14 and I can’t snap my fingers for nothing