1. Reflexes

2. The Newborn
Newborn infants are skilled, capable beings who display many complex abilities, one of which is called a reflex.
Reflex - An inborn, automatic response to a particular form of stimulation.

3. Save For In Class Discussion
Reflexes
Save For In Class Discussion
Complete the following chart:
Reflex
Stimulation
Response
Age of Loss
Function
Eye Blink
Rooting
Sucking
Swimming
Moro
Palmar Grasp
Tonic Neck
Stepping
Babinski

4. Reflex Stimulation Response Age of Loss Function
Eye Blink
Shine bright light at eyes or clap near head
Quickly closed eyelids
Permanent
Protects infant from strong stimulation
Rooting
Stroke cheek near corner of mouth
Head turns towards source
3 weeks
Helps infant find the nipple
Sucking
Place finger in infants mouth
Infant sucks rhythmically
4 months
Permits feeding
Swimming
Place infant face down in pool of water
Infant paddles and kicks in swimming motion
4-6 months
Helps with survival if dropped into water
Moro
Hold infant on back and let head drop slightly or produce a loud sound against supporting surface
Infant makes “embracing” motion by arching back, extending legs, and throwing arms outward then bringing arms in
6 months
May have helped infant cling to mother in past
Palmar Grasp
Place finger in infants hand and press on palm
Spontaneous grasp of finger
3-4 months
Prepares infant for voluntary reaching
Tonic Neck
Turn infants head to one side while infant is lying awake on back
Infant takes a “fencing position” one arm extended in front of eyes and the other is flexed
Stepping
Hold infant under arms and allow bare feet to touch a flat surface
Infant lifts one foot after another in a stepping motion
2 months in infants who gain weight quickly
Prepares infant for voluntary walking
Babinski
Stroke sole of foot from toe to heel
Toes fan out and curl as foot twists in
8-12 months
Unknown

5. Check It Out… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdiCe p6OStA - Reflexes
pL5btYo - Swimming Reflex

6. Why Have Reflexes?
Many of the baby’s reflexes go away before the first year. Why do you think they have them in the first place then?

7. Why Have Reflexes? Adaptive Value Development of Motor Skills
Some reflexes have survival value. For example, the rooting reflex helps a breastfed baby find the mother’s nipple. Babies display it only when hungry and touched by another person, not when they touch themselves.
Other reflexes probably helped babies survive during our evolutionary past. For example, the Moro, or “embracing,” reflex is believed to have helped infants cling to their mothers when they were carried about all day
Development of Motor Skills
Some reflexes form the basis for complex motor skills that will develop later. For example, the tonic neck reflex may prepare the baby for voluntary reaching. When babies lie on their backs in this “fencing position,” they naturally gaze at the hand in front of their eyes. The reflex may encourage them to combine vision with arm movements and, eventually, reach for objects
Show Health of Nervous System
Researchers believe that this is due to a gradual increase in voluntary control over behavior as the cerebral cortex develops. Pediatricians test reflexes carefully, especially if a newborn has experienced birth trauma, because reflexes can reveal the health of the baby’s nervous system. Weak or absent reflexes, overly rigid or exaggerated reflexes, and reflexes that persist beyond the point in development when they should normally disappear can signal damage to the cerebral cortex.

8. Why Do Reflexes Go Away?
Researchers believe that this is due to a gradual increase in voluntary control over behavior as the cerebral cortex develops.
Pediatricians test reflexes carefully, especially if a newborn has experienced birth trauma, because reflexes can reveal the health of the baby’s nervous system.
Weak or absent reflexes, overly rigid or exaggerated reflexes, and reflexes that persist beyond the point in development when they should normally disappear can signal damage to the cerebral cortex
However, individual differences in reflexive responses exist that are not cause for concern. An observer must assess newborn reflexes along with other characteristics to distinguish normal from abnormal central nervous system functioning

9. Dads With Good Reflexes
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