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 systemAbsence may be a sign of brain damageNeeded for survivalLead to voluntary, learned behaviorsGives 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 foodDisappears 3-4 mths

WALKING – When feet touch a solid surfaces, alternating steps are taken as in walkingDisappears 3-4 mths