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
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