Understanding Children From Birth to Age 2

Development  This refers to the change or growth that occurs in a child.  During the first year after birth the child is called an infant.  From the 1 st year until their 3 rd birthday, the child is a toddler.  Preschoolers describe children age 3 to 6.

Areas of Development  Physical development refers to physical body changes. (vision, hearing)  Gross motor involves improvement of skills using large muscles. (running, skipping)  Fine motor involves small muscles. (cutting, drawing)

Areas of Development (cont.)  Cognitive also called intellectual refers to mental processes used to gain knowledge. (reasoning, imagination)  Social-emotional are interrelated. Social is learning to relate to others. Emotional involves the expression of feelings. (trust, fear)

Characteristics of Development  Development tends to proceed from the head downward- cephalocaudal principle.  According to this, the child 1 st gains control of the head, then arms, then legs.  Development also proceeds from the center of the body outward- principle of proximodistal development. The spinal cord develops before outer body parts.

Characteristics of Dev. (cont.)  Another example- arms develop before hands.  Maturation- refers to the sequence of biological changes in a child. Children must mature to a certain point before learning new skills.  Each child develops at his or her own rate.

Physical Dev.- first 2 years  Growth is rapid.  Activities, schedules, etc. must be adapted as children grow.  Much of the 1 st year, is spent on developing motor skills.

Size and Shape  An infant’s weight may change daily.  Average infant weight is 7 lbs., it doubles 5 months later, yearly ave. is 22 lbs.  Infant length ave. is 20 inches, grows 10 to 12 inches within 1 st year, 2 to 6 inches more by age 2.  Boys are slightly heavier and taller than girls by age 2.

Reflexes  At birth, an infant’s abilities are limited to reflexes- an automatic body response to a stimulus. (blinking for ex.)  Reflexes are checked to assess brain and nerve development.

Reflex Types  Rooting Reflex- They turn their head toward anything that brushes their faces, once an object is near their lips, they will start to suck.  Moro Reflex- startle reflex, when a newborn is startled by a noise or sudden movement, fling out arms and legs, then draw together and cry loudly.

Reflex Types (cont.)  Palmar Grasp Reflex- When you put something in the palm of their hand, they will grip it tightly. (a rattle for ex.)  Babinski Reflex- When stroking the sole of their foot, toes will fan out, curl and the foot twists in.  Stepping or walking reflex- when infant is held with feet on flat surface, they will lift one foot over another in stepping motion.

Motor Sequence  Refers to the order in which the child is able to perform new movements. Depends on brain and nerve development.  1 st months- head and trunk control develop  4 or 5 months- can roll over  4 to 6 months- can sit upright  Gradually they can pull themselves up, then crawling begins shortly after the child can roll onto the stomach.

Motor Sequence (cont.)  Crawl- child pulls with arms and wiggles the stomach.  Creep- support weight on hands and knees and goes forward.  Hitching- move arms and legs, slide buttocks across the floor.  Seek help for kids way behind the norms.

Walking Sequence  Immature stage- upright position difficult to maintain, rigid appearance, loss of frequent balance, short steps taken, toes turned outward, arms held above waist, legs spread wide.  Mature stage- step length increases, legs closer together, relaxed appearance, arms held at side, balanced maintained.