# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
photo:  public domain sources on Pixabay

# data[].attributes.body
Initial flexed posture

Grasp Development

spontaneous grasp and release

Palmar grasp reflex

Other Reflexes

Rooting reflex (head turns to direction face/cheek is being touched)

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR -- head turns to same side arm is in extension; contralateral arm in flexion)

Galant reflex (lateral trunk flexion to same side as touched along spine -- integration by 2 months)

Positive support reflex (legs and trunk into extension when weight on balls of feet -- integration by 2 months)

Stepping reflex (reciprocal stepping in supported upright position -- integration by 2 months)

Startle reflex (loud noise causes UE abduction and elbow flexion)

Moro reflex (sudden head drop causes UE abduction)

Advanced Motor Movements

Extension starts to develop from the neck down

Can lift head 45 degrees from supporting surface

Starting to support self on forearms

Random leg and arm motions in supine

Hands start to open during first month

Other

Eyes and hands start to "link" -- allows for some reaching and grasping

Body may rotate with head as one unit (primitive neck righting reflex)

# data[].attributes.body
Grasp Development

Mostly continues to use Palmar grasp reflex

Primitive Reflex Integration

Rooting reflex should be integrated

Advanced Motor Movements

Head control:

Can lift head in midline past 90 degrees in prone

Head in midline in supine

Hands together at midline (lots of "aha" moments & can bring objects to mouth)

When pulled to sit and tilted in any direction, head is in midline with body

Some pelvic mobility begins

# data[].attributes.body
Grasp Development (palmar grasp)

Raking motion

Primitive Reflex Integration

Moro and startle reflexes should be integrated

Advanced Motor Movement

Lifts head against gravity from supine

Works to keep head from moving backward when being lowered to supporting surface

During pull to sit -- head leads movement with chin tuck (may reinforce with trunk flexion)

Can bring feet in front of face (helps lengthen hamstrings and strengthen abdominals)

Reciprocal kicking

More extension in prone ("swimming")

Leg and arm extension and can hold up off supporting surface

Sit with support (may stabilize with one arm while reaching with other)

# data[].attributes.body
Grasp Development

Voluntary palmar grasp

Primitive Reflex Integration

ATNR and Tonic Labrinthe Reflex should be integrated

Advanced Motor Movements

Mobility in prone

Shift weight to one extended arm while reaching forward with other

Landau reflex -- in prone: max extension of head and trunk along with abduction of limbs away from body

Segmental rolling (prone<>supine; supine<>prone)

Sit unsupported (may implement "W sitting" b/c of increased stability)

Can use arms and hands to play with toys while seated (extend arms forward for protection if looses balance)

Pull to sit -- infant may pull all the way to standing

Like to WB on feet (may bounce or rock back and forth)

Other

Bang and shake objects/toys

# data[].attributes.body
Grasp Development

Radial palmar grasp -- thumbs begin to adduct -- radial side of hand & thumb used to pick up objects

Advanced Motor Movements

Greater trunk strength, stability and control

Can narrow base of support (adduct LE) while sitting

Reaches laterally if looses balance

Transfers objects from one hand to another

Increased trunk rotation

Increased segmental motion (less as a whole body)

More complex movements (arms move across midline, supinated reaching)

# data[].attributes.body
Advanced Motor Movements

Move movement in general:

From side-lying can move in and out of sitting

"Bear walking" -- WB on hands and feet and "tries" to walk after pushing backwards on hands

"Hitching" -- scoots on bottom with or without hand support

Use "pushing" for locomotion -- in prone they may "push" themselves backward while performing random LE movements

# data[].attributes.body
Primitive Reflex Integration

Plantar Grasp

Grasp Development

Radial-digital grasp

Advanced Motor Movements

Changing positions constantly

Moving in and out of sitting

Side sitting

Moving into four-point position and reciprocal movements

Creeping

Pulling up into standing position using crib railing or furniture/leans against support surface

Equilibrium reactions of feet (toes alternately claw floor/ flare upward) when standing to assist w/ balance

Practices dissociating arm w/ leg movements when in standing

Cruising: sideways "walking" w/ arm support on furniture

# data[].attributes.body
Infant becomes a toddler at 1 year!

Primitive Reflex Integration

Symmetric tonic neck (8-12 months)

Grasp Development

Inferior Pincer (10-12 mo)

Superior Pincer

Three-jaw chuck

Advanced Motor Movement

Attempts forward locomotion

Caregiver hand hold/infant walker

First attempts at walking are lateral weight shifts w/ arms in high guard (arms held high w/ scapula adducted/shoulders ER & abducted/elbows flexed/wrist & fingers extended) which results in strong extension of upper back

As an upright trunk is more easily maintained, arms are lowered to midguard (hands at waist level/shoulders ER), to low guard (shoulders more neutral/elbows extended), & finally to no guard

Hips/knees are slightly flexed to bring COM closer to ground

Minimal ankle movements w/ whole foot contacting ground

Walk slowly w/ small steps & short amount of time spent in single-limb stance

# data[].attributes.body
Advanced Motor Movements:

Toddler is at ease w/ walking & can carry/pull a toy at the same time

Demonstrate a "running-like" walk

Goes up/down stairs 1 step at a time with help

Independently creeps up the stairs & may creep/scoot down on buttocks

Walk sideways and backward

Stands from supine position by rolling to prone, pushing up on hands and knees or hands and feet, assumes a squat position, and rises to standing

Falls decline due to improved balance reactions in standing and ability to monitor trunk/LE movements kinesthetically and visually

First signs of jumping: stepping off "jump" from a bottom stair

Exhibit reciprocal arm swing & heel strike by 18 months

Momentary balance on 1 foot

# data[].attributes.body
2 Years

Gait becomes faster, arms swing reciprocally, steps are bigger, and single-limb stance time increases

Ascend/descend stairs 1 step at a time

Jump off step w/ two-foot take-off

Kick a large ball

Throw a small ball

Stepping over low objects

True running: both feet off the ground at same time

Cannot stop/start quickly

Directional changes require large areas

Jumping off the ground: 1 foot leaves the ground, followed by the other

3 Years

Fundamental motor patterns (hopping, galloping, skipping) begin to develop

Reciprocal actions are mastered: pedaling tricycle/climbing ladder or jungle gym

Locomotion can be started/stopped based on demands from environment: playing dodge ball on crowded playground

Makes sharp turns while running

Balances on toes & heels in standing

Tandem balance

Single-leg balance for 3 sec

Reciprocal gait pattern used to ascend stairs/descending stairs 1 step at a time

Increased jumping abilities

Running broad jump

Standing broad jump

Hopping 1-2 times on preferred foot by 3 1/2

4 Years

Rhythmic relaxed galloping

Improved static & dynamic balance (single-leg balance 4-6 sec)

Descend stairs w/ alternating feet

Catch a small ball w/ outstretched arms

Throw ball overhand from some distance

Improved striking abilities: overhand/sidearm/underhand or kicking

# data[].attributes.body
5 Years

Balance on either foot 8-10 sec

Walk forward on balance beam

Hop 8-10 times on 1 foot

Standing broad jump 2-3 feet

Skip on alternating feet

Can change directions/stop quickly while running

Ride bike

Roller-skate

Hit a target w/ ball from 5 feet away

6 Years

Well coordinated

Single-leg balance for more than 10 sec EO/EC

Can throw/catch small ball from 10 feet away

Walk on balance beam forward, sideways, backward

Patterns of movement learned in game-playing form basis for later sports skills