Infancy physical development Flashcards
Define ‘growth’
From being born weighing just a few kilos to reaching the age of 2, an infant grows and develops in many ways. In fact, infancy is the time when growth and development are at their most rapid
What are reflexes?
These are actions which are not under our control. Babies have primitive reflexes which disappear; they protect the baby in the first few months of life. These are sometimes called survival reflexes. This set of reflexes indicates that the new-borns central nervous system is in good working order
What are sucking reflexes?
- causes babies to suck any object that touches their lips
* enables them to feed from birth
What are Moro Reflexes?
- causes babies to fling their arms outwards, arch their back and then bring their arms together as if they were holding something
- it occurs in response to a loud noise
What are grasping reflexes?
Causes babies to curl their fingers tightly around any object places in their palm
What is tonic neck reflex?
This causes babies to turn their head, arms and legs to one side when laid on their back; yay flex their limbs on the opposite side.
What is stepping reflex?
This causes babies to lift their legs as if there about to walk upright.
What is babinski reflex?
This causes babies to fan then curl their toes when the bottom of there foot is stroked.
Gross motor skills are
Large movements that involve using large muscles of the body which are required for mobility, for example rolling over
Fine motor skill
Involve smaller movements that required precise direction (dexterity) and use smaller muscles, for example picking up a pencil.
The stages of gross motor skills in babies
By 6 month they have full head control
By 9 month they are able to pull them selves up to a sitting position
By 12 months they can stand alone
By 15 months most babies can walk alone
By 24 months most can walk up and down stairs with 2 feet in one step
Stages of fine motor skills in babies
After 3 months babies stop an automatic reflex to keep there hands closed
By 6 months they will voluntarily grasp on to objects or a toy.
By 9 months the movement in the hand becomes more refined and most children can use finger and thumb to hold objects (pincer grasp)
By 12 months they can hold a crayon using their ‘Palmer grasp’
At 15 months they can usually take a spoon to their mouth
By 24 months they can begin to dress them selves
