Transcript Physical Development of Infants Patterns of Physical Development  Head to Foot    Near to far   Lifts up head first, then shoulders, then knees to eventually standing Starts.

Physical Development of
Infants
Patterns of Physical Development
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Head to Foot
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Near to far
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Lifts up head first, then shoulders, then
knees to eventually standing
Starts long before birth when the head
takes the lead in development
They move their arms and legs before
their fingers and toes
Simple to Complex
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They learn to use their large muscles first
then their fine muscles
Influences on Growth and
Development
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Heredity
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Nutrition
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Eating nutritious foods is going to insure
that a child develops properly
Health
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Genes influence a person’s intellectual
potential and artistic abilities
If babies are born sick they may develop
slower
Experiences
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Interaction with parents and other family
members also influences the way a child
develops
More Influences
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Environment
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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
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Weight
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Length
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They usually grow about 10-12
inches in the first year
Body Shape
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A baby usually gains about 10-14
pounds in its first year.
Newborns usually hold themselves
in a curled position
As they get older they tend to
stretch out more
Proportion
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A baby’s head and abdomen are its
largest body parts.
Development During the 1st Year
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Vision
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Hearing
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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
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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
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At first, their vision is blurry and doesn’t reach the clarity of an adults
vision till around 6 months
Newborns usually lack sufficient brain development and movement skills
to explore their world through touch.
Voice
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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
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Reflexes occur since babies have
little control over their muscles
Gross motor skills (large muscles)
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Babies learn to control these first:
legs, arms, shoulders
Fine motor skills (small muscles)
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Babies learn to control these later
which include: fingers, toes, and
activities requiring precise
movements.
Reflexes
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Sucking reflex
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Rooting reflex
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Happens whenever something is
put in the baby’s mouth
Whenever a baby’s cheek is
rubbed a baby usually turns
toward the side it was rubbed on
Grasping reflex
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Whenever you place something in
their hand they usually close it
Hand-Eye Coordination
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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
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With a stimulating environment, infants
can develop normally and with ample
opportunities.