Physical Development of

Infants
 Patterns of Physical
Development
Head to Foot
Lifts up head first, then shoulders,
then knees to eventually standing
Starts long before birth when the
head takes the lead in development
Near to far
They move their arms and legs
before their fingers and toes
Simple to Complex
They learn to use their large muscles
first then their fine muscles
 Influences on Growth and
Development
Heredity
Genes influence a persons
intellectual potential and artistic
abilities
Nutrition
Eating nutritious foods is going to
insure that a child develops properly
Health
If babies are born sick they may
develop slower
Experiences
Interaction with parents and other
family members also influences the
way a child develops
 More Influences
Environment
Making sure that babies
have a stimulating
environment which means
that they have a variety of
things to see, taste, smell,
hear, and touch enhances
brain development
 Growth in First Year
Weight
A baby usually gains about 10-
14 pounds in its first year.
Length
They usually grow about 10-12
inches in the first year
Body Shape
Newborns usually hold
themselves in a curled position
As they get older they tend to
stretch out more
Proportion
A babys head and abdomen
are its largest body parts.
 Development During the 1st
Vision
Year
At first, their vision is blurry and doesnt reach the clarity of an
adults vision till around 6 months
Hearing
Babies hearing develops long before they are born. They are
able to recognize voices that are heard while in the womb once
they are born.
Smell and Taste
From a few days after birth, a newborn can determine its
mothers smell from another persons
Babies usually show a preference for sweet tastes early on
Touch
Newborns usually lack sufficient brain development and
movement skills to explore their world through touch.
Voice
Newborns cries are shrills which softens as the baby lungs
mature. The tongue and inside of mouth change in shape
during the first months of life
 Motor Skills
Reflexes occur since babies have
little control over their muscles
Gross motor skills (large muscles)
Babies learn to control these first:
legs, arms, shoulders
Fine motor skills (small muscles)
Babies learn to control these later
which include: fingers, toes, and
activities requiring precise
movements.
 Reflexes
Sucking reflex
Happens whenever something is
put in the babys mouth
Rooting reflex
Whenever a babys cheek is
rubbed a baby usually turns
toward the side it was rubbed on
Grasping reflex
Whenever you place something
in their hand they usually close it
 Hand-Eye Coordination
This is an essential skill for
many tasks in life.
Newborns hand-eye
coordination develops as their
motor skills improve.
By the end of the first year,
they can move items from
place to place with their hands.
 Conclusion
With a stimulating environment,
infants can develop normally and
with ample opportunities.