Transcript Growth, Development, & Reflexes

Growth, Development,
& Reflexes
Child Development: How a child becomes
able to do more complex things as they
age.
Development is measured through specific
Milestones.
Milestones are a set of Skills or tasks that
most children can do at a certain age.
Growth = Measurable change in
size

Head to Foot

Near to Far

Simple to complex
GROWTH
1st 6 months = 1-2
pounds per month
 Last 6 months = 1
pound per month
 By their 1 st birthday
a baby has tripled
it’s birth weight.
 The average weight
is 20-22 pounds

GROWTH

By 1 year old, the
average infant is
about 30 inches
long
 Growing 1 inch per
month
 Has increased it’s
birth weight by 1/2
GROWTH

Head and abdomen
are large

Legs and arms are
short and small
DEVELOPMENT = Increase in
physical, emotional, social, or
intellectual skills
DEVELOPMENT - SIGHT
By 3rd month the
baby’s vision is
almost as good as
it’s going to get
 DEPTH
PERCEPTION =
ability to recognize
that an object is 3
dimensional and not
flat. (2nd month)

DEVELOPMENT - SIGHT

Hand-eye
coordination = ability
to move the hands
and fingers precisely
in relation to what is
seen (develops
gradually)
DEVELOPMENT - HEARING

Develops before
birth
 Responds to tone
rather than words
 Should have hearing
test by about 6
months
SIGNS OF HEARING PROBLEM

Not startled by sharp
clap
 3 months old and
never turns toward
the source of sound
 Is not awakened by
loud noises
 Pays not attention to
ordinary sounds
DEVELOPMENT - Smell and Taste

Within 10 days they
can distinguish by
smell their own
mother
 At 2 weeks they can
taste difference
between sour,
sweet, salt, and milk
REFLEXES = automatic, unlearned
behavior

Important because:
Determines health of nervous system
 Absence may be a sign of brain damage
 Needed for survival
 Lead to voluntary, learned behaviors
 Gives practice needed to develop

REFLEXES

PALMAR – fingers
tighten around any
object placed in
palm.
Disappears 3-4 months

PLANTAR – Toes
tighten around any
object that touches
the ball of the foot
Disappears 11/2 years
REFLEXES
BABINSKI – Toes
fan out if the outside
of sole is stroked
from heal to toe
Disappears 1 yr
 MORO – Flings arms
and legs out then
pull back in to fetal
position
Disappears 6 mths

REFLEXES
ROOTING – When
cheek is stroked they
will turn in search for
food
Disappears 3-4 mths
 WALKING – When
feet touch a solid
surfaces, alternating
steps are taken as in
walking
Disappears 3-4 mths
