PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS AND TODLLER
 CEPHALOCAUDAL PATTERN is where
the greatest development takes place at
the top of the body, i.e. the head, and
physical development moves gradually
downwards: e.g. neck, shoulders, trunk,
etc.
 PROXIMODISTAL PATTERN of
development is where growth starts at
the centre of the body and moves
towards the extremities. An example of
such a pattern is the early development
of muscular control of the trunk and arms
relative to the hands and fingers.
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Motor development means the physical growth
and strengthening of a child’s bones, muscles
and ability to move and touch his/her
surroundings
 Fine motor skills involved a refine use of
small muscles controlling the hands,
fingers and thumb
 Gross motor skills are larger
movements your baby makes with his
arms, legs, feet, or his entire body
REFLEXES are involuntary movements or
actions. Some movements are spontaneous,
occurring as part of the baby's usual activity
 Root reflex. This reflex begins when the
corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or
touched. The baby will turn his
 Suck reflex. Rooting helps the baby
become ready to suck. When the roof of
the baby's mouth is touched, the baby will
begin to suck. or hands.
 Moro reflex. The Moro reflex is often
called a startle reflex because it usually
occurs when a baby is startled by a loud
sound or movement.
 Tonic neck reflex. When a baby's head
is turned to one side, the arm on that side
stretches out and the opposite arm bends
up at the elbow.
 Gripping reflex. Stroking the palm of a
baby's hand causes the baby to close his
or her fingers in a grasp.
 Babinski/Curling reflex. When the sole
of the foot is firmly stroked, the big toe
bends back toward the top of the foot and
the other toes fan out.
 Galant Reflex -stroking the low back to
one side of the spine will result in side
flexion of the lumbar spine (low back)
away from that side, with raising of the
hip on the same side.
NEWBORN SENSES
Babies are born fully equipped with all the
necessary senses of sight, hearing, smell,
taste, and touch. However, some of these
senses are less precise than others.