At birth

At birth

1. physical development

   • Gross motor skills
     • lie supine {on their backs}, with the head to one side
     • when placed on their front {the prone position},the buttocks humped up
     • when pulled to a sitting position, the head lags.
     • held up by a hand under the chest{ ventral suspension} hand drops below the plane
   • fine motor skills
     • 1- usually hold their hands tightly closed.
     • 2- often hold their thumbs tucked in under their fingers.
     • 3- ture their hand towards the light and will stare at bright.
     • 4- fascinated by human faces and gaze attentiely at their carer's face.
     • 5-open their eyes when held upright.
     • 6- close their eyes when the light is shone directly into them.
     • 7- blink in response to sound or movement.
     • 8- are startled by sudden noises.
     • cannot hear very soft sounds

2. Reflexes of a newborn baby

   • The swallowing and sucking reflexes
     • when anything is put in the mouth, babies at ones suck and swallow.
   • The rooting reflex
     • If one side of baby's cheek or mouth is gently touched. the baby's head turns towards the touch and the mouth purses as if in search of the nipple.
   • The grasp reflex
     • when an object or a finger touches the palm of the baby"s hand, the hand automatically grasps it.
   • The stepping or walking reflex
     • when held upright and tilting slightly forward, with their feet placed on a firm surface
   • The asymmetric tonic neck reflex
     • If baby's head is turned to one side, the baby will extend the arm and leg on that side
   • The startle reflex
     • babies are startled by a sudden loud noise or bright light. they will move their arms outwards with elbows bent and hands clenched
   • The falling reflex (moro )
     • any sudden movement that affects the neck gives babies the feeling that they may be dropped

3. Cognitive and language development

   • explore using their senses and using their own activity and movement.
   • make eye contact and cry to indicate need
   • respond to high- pitched tones by moving their limbs
   • often synchronies actions with the sound of an adult voice.
   • often able to imitate, for example copying adults who open their mouth wide or stick out their tongue

4. Emotional and social development

   • use total body movements to express pleasure at bath time or when being fed
   • enjoy feeding and cuddling
   • often imitate facial expressions