PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIRST YEAR

PHYSICAL GROWTH Of all the changes that occur during the first year of life the physical changes are the most noticeable. Growth occurs outwardly including height and weight but also inwardly tissue and organ growth. Development proceeds in two directions –from head to toe and from the center of the body outward to the extremities (fingers and toes).

INFANCY The stage of development during the first year of life is known as infancy. The brain is the fastest growing organ in a child’s body during the first year. The muscles of an infant are immature but with an increase in size their strength and stamina will develop over time.

SKELETAL GROWTH The skeletal systems is made up of cartilage, bones and teeth. This is the framework of the body. The length and weight change dramatically over the first year of a child. The term length is used because the first year of life a baby cannot stand but after they stand they will be measured as height. A child’s rate of growth is measured each time they go to the pediatrician. As long as the child shows a steady increase the pediatrician will not be concerned, but if the child does not show an increase the pediatrician will be looking for reasons for this problem.

POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR FAILURE TO GROW The pediatrician will check for possible reasons why the child has not continued to grow they could include: 1) Diseases 2) Insufficient nutrients in the baby’s food 3) Infrequent or short feeding 4) Abuse or neglect

BONES At birth, newborns have fontanels or soft spots on their skulls. This is where the skull is not closed so that it makes it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. They also allow the brain and skull to grow and they will be completely closed around the age of 2. Most of a baby’s skeleton is cartilage which makes it easy for them to bend, suck their toes, etc. but not stand or sit because their skeletons are not sturdy yet.

BONES During the first year 3 changes occur in a child’s bones. 1) The first change is the length of the bones increases. 2) Ossification or hardening of the bones begins which helps the baby become more sturdy 3) The number of bones changes or reduces as bones fuse together

TEETH Teeth are part of the skeletal system and begin forming around the sixth week of life in the womb. By birth all 20 deciduous or baby teeth are formed and a few permanent teeth as well. The deciduous teeth may begin appearing during the 6th month period but it just depends on the baby. Some babies are born with a few teeth and some don’t get their first tooth until after their 1st birthday.

REFLEXES Newborns enter the world with some natural reflexes. These are reflexes that are automatic or unlearned and are needed for survival. 1) Rooting reflex – helps newborns search for food by turning their heads and moving their mouths when you touch their cheeks or mouth. 2) Grasping reflex – this reflex helps them automatically grasp objects that are placed in their hands.

REFLEXES 3) Babinski reflex is seen when you touch an infants foot the toes fan out. 4) Startle reflex is seen by newborns when they hear a loud noise or sometimes when you lay them down and they fling their arms and legs out. 5) Walking reflex is a reflex seen when babies feet touch the ground they alternate their feet like taking steps.

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT Motor development is the control and use of muscles that direct the body’s movements. There are two types of motor skills 1)Gross 2) Fine 1) Gross motor skills are the skills that use large muscles such as the legs to walk or run, crawl, and arms to throw. 2) Fine motor skills are more refined and require the use of small muscles such as the fingers to hold a pencil and write with it.

HEAD-TO-FOOT DEVELOPMENT Cephalocaudal development also known as head to foot development is the progression of the body developing from the head downward. This type of development starts before the baby is even born as we studied the head is first and the rest of the body follows.

NECK AND HEAD CONTROL Newborns need to have their heads supported at all time as the muscles have not yet fully developed to hold their heads up. At around 3 months of age a baby should be able to hold their heads up and have tummy time. Head control is usually complete by the time an infant is 6 months of age.

TRUNK CONTROL Trunk control will develop more slowly than the control of the head. Trunk control enables the infant to develop the motor skills which help them roll over and sit up. Infants usually roll over from stomach to back around 2-5 months of age and then about a month later will be able to roll from back to stomach.

TRUNK CONTROL Learning to sit may take an infant several months. Infants have to first learn to control their heads and have the strength in their necks and backs. Infants can usually sit around 6 months for a limited amount of time but by 9 months most will be able to sit unaided and play.

LEG CONTROL The last phase of head to foot development is leg control. As infants gain control of their legs they will start crawling, creeping, standing and walking. 1) Crawling is usually starting around 5-6 months where they drag their bellies across the floor. 2) Creeping is where they are on all fours or knee crawling.

LEG CONTROL 3) Standing will occur around 6 months while parents hold them and support them they will enjoy bouncing on their feet. 4) Walking will begin after infants learn to stand on their own or alone. They will begin by cruising which is holding onto something for support but as the legs develop they will eventually let go and take a few steps. Most infants will be walking by 15 months of age.

DEVELOPMENT FROM THE CENTER OUTWARD The development of the infant from the center outward is called proximodistal development. This type of development begins with controlling the trunk, arms, hands and fingers and then continues to include the hips, legs, feet and toes. Infants will use this type of development to help crawl and for a balancing aid in standing and walking but for the most part this type of development is used for fine motor skills.

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES Tasks that many children accomplish by a certain age are called developmental milestones. These can be physical, intellectual, and social-emotional tasks that the child may master. Each child however does develop at their own pace. This pace may be affected by many factors including heredity, nutrition, illnesses and activity.

CONCLUSION The first year of physical development is a huge accomplishment for the human body. It grows in so many areas and accomplishes so much in such a short period of time. From a newborn that has almost no muscle control to a sitting, crawling, walking child by the end of the first year.