Chapter 8

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Physical Development During the 1st Year

They grow:1. Physically2. Emotionally3. Socially4. Intellectually

How do babies grow and develop?

Patterns of Physical Development 1. Head to Foot

1. First, babies lift their head to see an object2. Second , babies grab at an object3. Third, babies walk to an object

2. Near to Far (starts at the trunk and moves outward)1. First, babies wave their arms when they see an object they

want2. Second, they grab and object with the palm of the hand3. Third, babies learn to pick up objects with their thumb and

fingers

3. Simple to Complex1. First, babies main activities are sleeping and eating2. Gradually, they learn more complicated tasks3. Example, first eating with their fingers and then using a

spoon and fork

Growth and Development of Infants

Growth Charts

Weight gain is one of the best signs of good health in children

During the first 6 months, a healthy baby gains 1 to 2 pounds per month

Overall, a baby’s weight doubles during the first few months and triples by the end of the first year

What is the average weight of a one year old?

20 to 22 pounds

Physical Growth - Weight

Average newborn is 20 inchesHow tall is a one year old?

30 inchesHeredity influences height

Physical Growth - Height

Physical Growth - ProportionProportion- refers to

the size relationship between different parts of the body.

Compared to the rest of the body, a baby’s head & abdomen are larger than an adult’s

The arms & legs are short & small in comparison to the rest of the body.

These words are often used interchangeable

GROWTH – refers to the change in sizeDEVELOPMENT – refers to an increase in

physical, emotional, social or intellectual skills

Growth & Development

Development - SightInfants are born with blurry vision

1 week old – focus on objects that are 7 -10 inches away

1 month old- focus on objects that are 3 feet away

3 ½ months old – vision is almost as good as a young adults

Development - SIGHT

Which toy would be better for an newborn?

Development – Sight•Young Babies prefer patterns that show high contrast (stripes, bull’s eyes, faces)

•They prefer the color red.• When shown the same object in

different colors, they spend more time looking at the red one.

2nd MONTH - infants begin to show Depth Perception

They become able to recognize that an object is 3D not flat.

3rd MONTH - babies prefer to look at real objects rather than flat pictures of objects

Development - Sight

With improved vision, babies develop HAND-EYE COORDINATION.

3-4 MONTHS - babies begin reaching for objects they see

WHY do you need hand-eye coordination?

Development - SIGHT