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Physical Development of Infants

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

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Physical Development of Infants

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  1. Physical Development of Infants

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Growth in First Year • Weight • 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. Reflexes • Sucking 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

  9. 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.

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

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