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 1 st 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 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 3 rd 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. (2 nd 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 system Absence may be a sign of brain damage Needed for survival Lead to voluntary, learned behaviors Gives 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 food Disappears 3-4 mths WALKING – When feet touch a solid surfaces, alternating steps are taken as in walking Disappears 3-4 mths