Physical Development of Infants

Patterns of Physical Development Head to Foot Lifts up head first, then shoulders, then knees to eventually standing Starts long before birth when the head takes the lead in development Near to far They move their arms and legs before their fingers and toes Simple to Complex They learn to use their large muscles first then their fine muscles

Influences on Growth and Development Heredity Genes influence a person’s intellectual potential and artistic abilities Nutrition Eating nutritious foods is going to insure that a child develops properly Health If babies are born sick they may develop slower Experiences Interaction with parents and other family members also influences the way a child develops

More Influences Environment Making sure that babies have a stimulating environment which means that they have a variety of things to see, taste, smell, hear, and touch enhances brain development

Growth in First Year Weight Length Body Shape Proportion A baby usually gains about 10-14 pounds in its first year. Length They usually grow about 10-12 inches in the first year Body Shape Newborns usually hold themselves in a curled position As they get older they tend to stretch out more Proportion A baby’s head and abdomen are its largest body parts.

Development During the 1st Year Vision At first, their vision is blurry and doesn’t reach the clarity of an adults vision till around 6 months Hearing Babies hearing develops long before they are born. They are able to recognize voices that are heard while in the womb once they are born. Smell and Taste From a few days after birth, a newborn can determine its mother’s smell from another persons Babies usually show a preference for sweet tastes early on Touch Newborns usually lack sufficient brain development and movement skills to explore their world through touch. Voice Newborns cries are shrills which softens as the baby lungs mature. The tongue and inside of mouth change in shape during the first months of life

Motor Skills Reflexes occur since babies have little control over their muscles Gross motor skills (large muscles) Babies learn to control these first: legs, arms, shoulders Fine motor skills (small muscles) Babies learn to control these later which include: fingers, toes, and activities requiring precise movements.

Reflexes Sucking reflex Rooting reflex Grasping reflex Happens whenever something is put in the baby’s mouth Rooting reflex Whenever a baby’s cheek is rubbed a baby usually turns toward the side it was rubbed on Grasping reflex Whenever you place something in their hand they usually close it

Hand-Eye Coordination This is an essential skill for many tasks in life. Newborns hand-eye coordination develops as their motor skills improve. By the end of the first year, they can move items from place to place with their hands.

Conclusion With a stimulating environment, infants can develop normally and with ample opportunities.