Concepts of Development

What does cephalic-to-caudal development mean?

• Development progresses from:

  • Head

  • Trunk

  • Lower extremities

• Head control develops before lower-extremity control

• General progression is from head to toe

What does gross-to-fine development mean?

• Large muscle movements develop before small precise movements

• Gross motor control precedes fine motor control

• Example:

  • Reaching develops before refined pincer grasp

What does mass-to-specific development mean?

• General, large movement patterns develop first

• Progresses toward:

  • More selective movement

  • More complex movement

  • More precise motor control

What does proximal-to-distal development mean?

• Control develops from the center of the body outward

• Trunk control develops before distal extremity control

• Midline stability supports later hand and foot control