Child Development
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
As a child grows they learn and acquire more refined gross and fine motor skills, as well as developing social skills. Reflexes that initially developed to aid survival, become integrated into more refined movements as the child matures. Children tend to acquire these skills in an orderly fashion and within certain age brackets. This patter of skill acquisition is often referred to as 'normal development', and is used to monitor a child's developmental progress. In some cases late acquisition of these 'milestones' can indicate developmental delay . However, it must be remembered that the time span within which acquistion of these skills is still considered 'normal' is wide (see WHO study discussed later), and that some children may skip a milestone altogether eg crawling.
The average age at which gross motor, fine motor and social skills are acquired are outlined below.
Gross motor activities[edit | edit source]
Activity |
Age |
Lifts head to 45° | 2/12 |
Props on forearms in prone | 3/12 |
Rolls over | 5/12 |
Prone on extended arms | 6/12 |
Balance reactions | 6/12 |
No Head lag | 5/12 |
Sitting without support | 6-8/12 |
Pulls to stand | 8-9/12 |
Cruises | 8-9/12 |
Crawls reciprocally | 9/12 |
Stands alone | 11/12 |
Walks alone | 12/12 |
Runs | 18-24/12 |
Walks up and down stairs with handrail | 2 yrs |
Pedals tricycle | 3 yrs |
Walks narrow line | 5 yrs |
Fine motor skills[edit | edit source]
Activity |
Age |
Follows objects with eyes | 1-2/12 |
Grasps objects | 4/12 |
Hand to hand transfers | 5/12 |
Finger feeds | 6/12 |
Objects into container | 12/12 |
Builds 2 block tower | 14/12 |
Helps with dressing | 15/12 |
Builds 6-7 cube tower | 2 yrs |
Uses fork and spoon skilfully | 2.5 yrs |
Holds pencil with adult grasp | 4 yrs |
Colours inside lines | 5 yrs |
Social skills[edit | edit source]
Activity/Interaction | Age |
Smiles when stimulated | 1/12 |
Vocalises to self | 6/12 |
Plays peek-a-boo | 8/12 |
Stranger anxiety | 8/12 |
Drinks from cup | 12/12 |
Uses spoon | 13/12 |
2-6 words | 15/12 |
Feeds self fully | 2 yrs |
Bladder and bowel control | 2 yrs |
Has 50+ words, understands 1000+ | 2 yrs |
Undresses | 2.5 yrs |
Gramatically correct speech | 4 yrs |
Fluent | 5 yrs |
Primitive Reflexes[edit | edit source]
The primitive reflexes are movement patterns that can be involuntarily elicited in a newborn. They exist to enhance chances of survival. These reflexes should be integrated as the child's motor development matures. The persistence of these reflexes beyond the usual ages of integration is suggestive of ischemic brain injury. Below several of the primitive reflexes, their appearance and integration dates are discussed.
Rooting reflex:
Palmar Grasp:
Plantar grasp:
Moro:
ATNR:
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bly L. Motor skills acquisition in the first year: An illustrated guide to normal development. ed. 1. Great Britain: Elsevier Science & Technology books, 1998.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sheridan M. D. Sharma A. and Cockerill H. From birth to five years. ed. 3. London: Routledge, 2008.
- ↑ onlinemedicalvideo. Physical exam-Newborn Normal: Primitive reflexes-suck, root. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vs7_aHfOy8 [last accessed: 17/06/13]
- ↑ onlinemedicalvideo. Physical exam-Newborn normal: Primitive reflexes-grasp. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF1j1PXRq-I [last accessed: 17/06/13]
- ↑ Onlnemedicalvideo. Physical exam-Newborn normal:primitive reflexes-moro. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oD6set72lo [last accessed: 17/06/13]
- ↑ Dr. Prodigious. Primitive Reflexes, Asymettric Tonic Neck-3 months-Infant clinical exam (MRCP. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXsb7bxTc5g)[last accessed: 17/06/13]