Motor Development in Infants & Toddlers

Investigators find that motor skills develop in a certain sequence during the first two years of life. These developments are discussed below.

There are two definite patterns of motor development. The first is called Cephalocaudal which involves growth in a head-to-foot direction. This suggest that the head, neck, and upper extremities grow more before the legs and feet. At the same time Proximodistal growth, which involves center-outward growth, is advancing. This suggests that the trunk and shoulders grow before the hand and fingers.

NEWBORNS

Newborn babies are active. They turn their heads, kick their legs, wave their arms, and show a number of reflex behaviors. The newborn has many reflexes. Some are necessary to life; others last only a few months after birth; and some build the foundation for later motor skills. The breathing reflex maintains an adequate supply of oxygen. Before the umbilical cord is cut, newborns have already taken their first breath. For a few days, the newborn tries to coordinate breathing, sucking, and swallowing, which causes breathing to be a little abnormal. One of the most important movements is the rooting reflex. The rooting reflex provokes your baby to turn his head in the direction of his food source, either the bottle nipple or the breast. When you stroke the side of his face with your hand, your newborn will turn his head, with his mouth open, and be ready to suck. The rooting reflex lasts only a couple of months until the infant turns his head automatically. Another important reflex is the sucking movement. When something is placed in his mouth, he will suck. These two reflexes help the newborn get the nourishment it needs. After a few months, the infant will suck his own hand to comfort himself. When an infant is startled, he will show the moro reflex. You've probably observed this if you've put your baby down too quickly. The newborn will throw his arms and legs out, arch his back, and cry. This reflex usually fades by the third month. During this stage be sure to support the infants neck and head and never leave them unattended.

1-3 MONTHS

Muscles in the infants neck, leg, and hands will increase during this period. Infants will be able to lift their head up and look around while lying on their stomachs. Their neck is less flimsy as you lift them up because of an increase in neck strength. Their legs will straighten out and become stronger.

They will be able to roll over from front to back and then from back to front. Always keep close supervision to make sure they do not roll off of a couch or bed. The infants will also begin to open and close their hand and bring objects to their mouth. Infants enjoy slapping at objects but cannot grasp them well; they tend to close their hands too early or too late. They also lack the hand/eye coordination needed. Very young infants who miss when reaching for an object will reach all over again. Later, the infants will make in-flight changes to guide their hands. During this stage the infant will attempt to place their hand in their mouth but will be unable to. This hand/eye coordination should develop in the fourth month.

4-7 MONTHS

During this stage your baby is better at holding up her head and chest. To help motivate your baby to reach for things, place objects next to them that will attract their attention. Make sure that the objects are within reach. This action is preparing her neck, head, and trunk muscles for sitting and standing up. Once these muscles gain more strength they will be able to sit up. Place them in your lap or prop something behind them so they can sit on their own. Doing this will show them what the view is like sitting up rather than always laying down. Their hands are also being used more and more. The infant can transfer objects from one hand to another. Provide the child with different objects in both size and weight for them to pick up and throw. Watch for things they could swallow because everything they see goes in their mouth.

8-12 MONTHS

Your baby should be crawling and standing up on the edges of furniture by the time they are 12 months old. He should also be able to move along side of the furniture while holding on. The infant will like to crawl but will want to walk. He will pull up on everything possible. You should hold his hands while he walks and he will decide when to let go and walk on his own.

1-2 YEARS

This is the stage where you will want to childproof everything in your home. Place barriers in front of steps or stairs. This stage will definitely excite you but at the same time keep you on the constant look out for possible danger. Don't worry if your baby is not walking yet. Some babies that crawl well will walk later because they can already get around. Sometimes if the baby has older siblings, he will walk earlier to keep up with them. The babies are now called toddlers because they toddle when they walk.

While your baby is walking he is also gaining skill in his hands and fingers. Their hand-eye coordination is also developing quickly. While they practice this new found skill they will be able to use their thumb and index finger to pick up, grab, or turn things. They will be able to pick up a piece of chalk and draw. Provide him with some chalk and a chalk board or even toys that require him to use this "picking" technique. If you are eating on a t.v. tray they may come over and help themselves to whatever looks interesting.

The table below list the various motor skills acquired during the first two years of life, and the ages most children acquire them. One important thing to remember is that while all children progress through these skills in a similar sequence, they do so at different rates. Variation among children's motor abilities is great.

Source: Adapted from Frankenberg & Dodds (1967)

While raising a child can sometimes be difficult or frustrating, being able to see him or her grow and develop these skills will be one of the most fulfilling and exciting events in your life together. Be careful not to push too hard if they do not develop as quickly as you would like. Just remember to love and support them while they are taking on these difficult tasks. Your encouragement is what they need the most.

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