What is "patty cake?"

brachysira

Since M was a preemie, we go to a developmental clinic every 6 months.  At her 6 month appt, they wanted to know if she played pattycake.  I was like, no way, not even, and they were like, well, she will soon.  Now its later, and I really can't imagine her doing this.  I keep reading on milestone info that they should "play pattycake and peek-a-boo" but peek-a-boo seems way easier and she has been able to do that forever.  So do I not understand what they think she should do?  When you do patty-cake, do you just have to hit hands, in rhythm, with your partner?  Or do you just have to hit the floor in rhythm?  Or do you have to roll it, mark it with a "b" and put it in the oven?  Because I'm pretty sure we're not going to be doing all that for quite a while...

Felicity86

I have no idea but my pediatrician was also concerned about this at our 9 month appointment!

colinsfebmommy

Wow I didn't know this! We're no where near this, he slaps five and claps and knows the song cuz we sing it but there is no clapping in rhythm to the song lol

ericalee27

I have never sang this song to either DS  -- how would they learn it otherwise?  This is one of the milestones that I definitely side-eye.  We clap together and he has been able to do that for awhile.  I think that's good enough.

wholenewworld

DS used to clap his hands along with me when I sang it, but now he initiates clapping by himself when I start singing the song without seeing me do it first. There is no way he rolls it and marks it with a B and I don't see that coming for a long time!

DublinMama

We have never played patty cake with DS, so I would not expect him to do it. He plays peek-a-boo, pretends to use a phone when you give it to him and say, "It's for you!" and he claps, waves, and will do high fives if the mood strikes him.  That's sufficient for me. I would not be worried about patty cake if I were you. That seems pretty subjective.

Drea926

When DS hears music he will sometimes "wave his hands in the air like he just doesn't care". That works for me. :P

Drea926

Seeca022 said:

Hmm I barely do patty cake. I always do "If your Happy and you know it" and he will clap his hands to that. My Pedi hasn't said anything about to me.

That song is a favorite in our house. ;-)

Rosebean

I think the point is social games. My Ped brought this up at 9 months and the question caught me off guard. What did he mean by social games? Then I got home and paid more attention to the games DS plays. Like peek-a-boo has developed where he will cover his own face for the game. Or he will look at us for reactions. Or will fake laugh just to mimic us. He looooves to mimic or crane his neck to see what funny face his dad will make next. And he juuuust started clapping. I don't think it has to be a specific game per se, just games in general where they seem to react and play back. I think that's all he was getting at.