Little Things that are Actually Big Skills

Sometimes the things our kids do in everyday life seem small - but they’re actually really important stepping stones in their development! Here are some truly amazing skills your child may already be practicing (without you even realizing just how cool they are), plus some fun ways to encourage them:

Imitation

If your child copies your actions (clapping, waving, shaking their head no) or mimics peers, that’s a huge deal! Imitation is one of the main ways children learn. It lays the foundation for speech, play, and problem-solving.

👉 Parent prompt: Clap your hands to the beat of a song and see if your child copies you!

🕒 Time to look for this skill: Typically starts around 9 months and becomes stronger by 12-15 months.

Gestures

Simple gestures like pointing at things they want, waving at people when you take them on a walk, or reaching out for you when they want "up" are more than just “cute". They’re the very first signs of communication, and show your child is learning how to share ideas with others.

👉 Parent prompt: Wave goodbye to a toy together, or point out something exciting outside the window.

🕒 Time to look for this skill: Waving and reaching often show up by 9-10 months; pointing (sometimes with their entire hand instead of just one finger) usually emerges around 12 months.

Responding to Sounds & Music

When your child perks up at a song, dances to a rhythm, or babbles along, they’re practicing listening, timing, and self-expression - all early building blocks for language and social connection.

👉 Parent prompt: Play your child’s favorite song and pause it suddenly. See if they respond with a sound, a gesture for more, or by waiting for the music to start again.

🕒 Time to look for this skill: Babies notice sounds from birth, but bouncing, clapping, or swaying to music often shows up around 6-9 months; singing or babbling along may begin around 12 months.

Taking Turns

Even something as simple as rolling a ball back and forth or waiting (briefly!) for a snack is the start of turn-taking. This skill helps children understand social rules and sets the stage for conversation later on.

👉 Parent prompt: Try rolling a ball back and forth, or take turns adding blocks to a tower.

🕒 Time to look for this skill: “Back-and-forth” vocal play often starts by 4-6 months; toy-based turn-taking is more common between 12-18 months.

Problem-Solving Play

Stacking blocks, trying to fit puzzle pieces, or experimenting with how toys work is your child’s way of flexing critical thinking and persistence. Every “try again” moment is their brain growing stronger.

👉 Parent prompt: Offer a toy in a slightly “tricky” way (like a lid on a box blocking access to a toy) and cheer them on as they figure it out.

🕒 Time to look for this skill: Early problem-solving (like banging toys together) starts around 9 months; more intentional problem-solving (like puzzles or stacking) often appears between 15–24 months.

Shared Joy

When your child looks at you to see if you’re laughing at the same thing as them, that’s “shared attention.” It’s a powerful skill for bonding and learning. They’re discovering that experiences are even better when shared.

👉 Parent prompt: Make a funny noise, wait for your child to look at you, and then laugh together!

🕒 Time to look for this skill: Smiling in response starts very early, but true joint/shared attention (checking to see if you’re watching too) often shows up between 9-12 months.

These little moments that don't seem big matter. Every clap, point, intentional wiggle, and shared giggle means your child’s brain is hard at work growing connections that will help them learn and communicate. Encourage these little attempts at communication when you notice them, and create opportunities for your child to show you what they know!

A Gentle Note for Parents

If you don’t see these skills right on the timeline, that’s okay. Kids develop at different speeds. But if you’re ever concerned about your child’s speech and language development, don’t hesitate to reach out to an SLP (speech-language pathologist) for an opinion or evaluation. (I also have another newsletter on my website called “Is it a Speech Delay or Just Late Talking?” that shares red flags to look for. It may be helpful if you’d like to learn more!)

As always, thanks for reading - and please let me know if there are any topics you'd like to hear more about!

Casey

.

.

.

.