Developmental Milestones

My daughter never waved backwards but they say the reason they wave backwards is because that is what they see when you wave to them.

Every child is different. My 11 month old waves the right way...but never waved backward. I know another child though that waved backward past the age of 2.

Honestly I dont think you should worry... about that.!! Just keep on showing him/her how its done and she or he will follow in time.

Hi S..
I think this depends on the kid and the environment that they are used to. My daughter began a sort of wave (open/close hand) around a year and then moved to the regular open hand/arm moving. However, she's in daycare where all of the parents wave all day, every day, along with lots of hugs and I think she just picked it up...
M.

I'm not even completely sure I know what you mean by "wave backwards", but I have always had my son on my lap when I wave at other people, so he sees it from my point of view. I think that probably helped him learn better than waving AT him! :)

they say at 18 months a child learnes to wave. mine did it much sooner than that so maybe this is when they know how properly and know what it means.

My son just turned 2 and he's turned his wave from an open and shut fist to a combo of that plus a jerk motion, so it looks like a half salute/milk sign (Baby Signs), we get the picture. He knows what he means, followed with "bye-bye" everyone else gets it too!