SUMMARY OF MOTOR DEVELOPMENT OVER THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE

What is the term used to describe an infant from birth to one month?

Neonate

What are the primitive patterns of movement in newborns primarily generated from?

The lower levels of the nervous system, such as the spinal cord and brainstem.

What is the primary characteristic of a newborn's motor behavior?

High dependence on primitive movement patterns.

How does a newborn behave when placed in a prone position?

Can only lift head and turn to one side.

What is the predominant muscle tone of a newborn?

Flexion in all positions, less in supine than prone.

What reflex behavior is observed in a newborn in prone position?

Head bobs reflexly but is usually turned to one side.

What motor behaviors are typical for a newborn in supine position?

Flexion and lateral rotation attitudes predominate; head to one side, hands fisted, can roll to side and back.

What significant social behavior does a newborn exhibit?

Crying to communicate and calming to human face and voice.

What is a notable change in motor behavior by the second month?

Decrease in flexor tone and peak of asymmetrical postures.

What new behaviors are observed in infants by the second month?

First smile and vocalizations such as coos and chuckles.

What motor development occurs by the third month?

Infant can lift against gravity in prone and has less fisted hands.

What is the significance of the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex?

It influences the development of anti-gravity behaviors.

What is the onset and integration period for the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex?

Onset is prenatal; integration occurs at 6 months.

What does the Palmar Grasp Reflex indicate?

An immature attempt to maintain stability; it must integrate for volitional reach and grasp.

What is the integration period for the Palmar Grasp Reflex?

4-11 months.

What is the Rooting Reaction and its significance?

Infant turns head towards stimulus; absence may indicate CNS depression.

What is the integration period for the Suck-Swallow Reflex?

2-5 months.

What is the Traction Response and its significance?

Flexion of shoulders, elbows, and wrists; persistence will inhibit voluntary use of arms.

What is the Moro Reflex and its integration period?

Abduction of upper extremities with extension followed by adduction; integrates at 5-6 months.

What is the significance of the absence of the adduction component in newborn reflex assessments?

Total absence of this reflex is usually indicative of neurologic abnormality.

What is Galant's Response?

Incurvation of the trunk when stroked along a paravertebral line, indicating potential innervation of trunk muscles.

When does Galant's Response integrate?

By the end of the first trimester.

What is the Neonatal Neck Righting reflex?

When the child's head is turned to one side, the body follows in a non-segmental manner, often seen in spasticity.

When does the Neonatal Neck Righting reflex integrate?

In the second trimester as mature neck righting develops.

What is the Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)?

When a child turns their head to one side, the arm and leg on that side extend while the opposite limbs flex.

What is the typical integration period for the ATNR?

4 to 6 months.

What does the Placing Reaction indicate?

It indicates CNS damage if the response is absent.

What is the Flexor Withdrawal reflex?

A withdrawal response to a noxious stimulus where the stimulated leg flexes at the hip, knee, and ankle.

When does the Flexor Withdrawal reflex integrate?

In the first trimester.

What is the Crossed Extension reflex?

Flexion, adduction, and then extension of the opposite leg when one leg is stimulated.

What does the Positive Supporting reflex indicate?

Normal muscle tone; if persistent, may indicate high muscle tone, as in spastic diplegia.

What is the significance of Spontaneous Stepping reflex?

It may persist in conditions like spastic diplegia.

What are the major motor accomplishments by six months of age?

Total anti-gravity control in prone and supine, rotary patterns of movement, and earliest protective extension reactions.

What is the significance of the fourth month in motor development?

The infant is mostly symmetrical and begins to engage hands near the face.

What motor behaviors are observed in the fifth month?

Reciprocal crawling movements, rolling easily to supine, and beginning to bring head, arms, and feet together.

What is the Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)?

When the head is flexed, arms flex and legs extend; when the head is extended, arms extend and legs flex.

When does the STNR integrate?

In the third trimester, 7-9 months.

What is the significance of the STNR in motor development?

It permits early sitting propped and must be integrated for hands and knees position.

What is the onset age for Mature (De-rotative) Neck Righting?

4-6 months

What is the significance of the Mature Neck Righting reaction?

It forms a basis for nearly all transitions, such as rolling over and sitting up.

What is the response of a child during Body on Body Righting?

The child will rotate body parts into alignment, thereby rolling over.

At what age does Body on Head Righting onset?

Birth to 2 months

What is the response of the Body on Head Righting reaction?

The head rotates into alignment with the body or surface on which it lies.

What does Optical Righting help maintain?

It helps maintain vertical contact with the visual environment.

What is the onset age for the Landau Reaction?

4-6 months

What is the significance of the Landau Reaction?

It is a critical milestone in the mastery of anti-gravity control.

What is the response during Protective Extension Down?

Hands go out as if to catch, then go into flexion to break the fall.

At what age does Protective Extension Down onset?

5 months

What is the significance of the Protective Extension Forward reaction?

It coincides with the child's ability to sit forward propped.

What is the response during Equilibrium (Tilting) Reaction in prone?

Limbs that are uppermost abduct and trunk curves against the tilt.

What major motor behavior develops by the seventh month?

The child pivots on the stomach in an attempt to crawl.

What is the significance of Protective Extension Sideways?

If not present, sitting erect will not develop.

At what age does Protective Extension Backwards onset?

9 months

What is the response during Equilibrium Reactions in supine or sitting?

Arms abduct and trunk curves.

What is the primary motor behavior of a ten-month-old infant?

Creeps on all fours and can pull to standing.

What characterizes the gait of a one-year-old infant?

Wide base of support, rapid cadence, and falling from one limb to the other.

What is the onset age for Equilibrium Reactions in Quadruped?

9-12 months

What is the significance of the Staggering Reaction?

It is used to re-establish a new base of support if the center of gravity cannot be maintained.

What is the integration status of all mature reactions by twelve months?

They have developed and persist throughout life.

What is the typical hand behavior of an eleven-month-old infant?

Drinks from a sippy cup.

What developmental behavior is observed in the eighth month?

The infant crawls and is trying to push into all fours.

What is the significance of the first steps taken by a child?

They typically occur by one year of age.

What is the response when an infant is tipped sideways in sitting?

Arms go out to the side to catch.

What does the term 'toddling' refer to in infant gait?

A characteristic gait with a wide base of support and rapid cadence.