Physical Development in Infancy

Question 1

Centile lines (percentiles)

Answer 1

lines on a graph used to show average measurements of height, weight and head circumstances. The lines represent the values of the measurements taking into account age and sex.

Question 2

Development Norms

Answer 2

A description of an average set of expectations with respect to a young child’s development. For example, by the age of 12 months a child has the ability to stand alone.

Question 3

Milestone

Answer 3

An ability achieved by most children by a certain age. It can involve physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication skills, for example walking, sharing with others, expressing emotions, recognising familiar sounds and talking.

Question 4

Gross motor skills

Answer 4

Large movements that involve using the large muscles of the body which are required for mobility, for example rolling over.

Question 5

Fine motor skills

Answer 5

Involve smaller movements that require more precise direction (dexterity) and use smaller muscles, for example picking up a pencil.

Question 6

Grasping reflex

Answer 6

Putting your finger in a child’s hand and they will hold onto it.

Question 7

Rooting reflex

Answer 7

A baby will automatically turn their face to suck when the lips or cheek is touched

Question 8

Sucking reflex

Answer 8

When you put a bottle into a baby’s mouth, it will instantly suck on it.

Question 9

Moro reflex

Answer 9

Also called a startle reflex. When a baby is startled by a loud noise or object

Question 10

Tonic neck reflex

Answer 10

When the baby is lying down, the characteristics are similar to a fencing position

Question 11

Stepping reflex

Answer 11

When the soles of a baby’s foot touched a flat surface they will attempt to walk by placing one foot in front of the other

Question 12

Babinski reflex

Answer 12

when a baby’s foot has been stroked, the big toe then moves upward towards the top of the surface of the foot