Human Growth and Development

Motor skills are crucial for a newborn's development. Without them, infants

would struggle to progress. Like adults, infants learn by observing others , and human interaction is essential. Studies show that babies who are frequently held or confined in small spaces may develop more slowly than those allowed to explore their environment and have more independence. Here are some general developmental milestones for newborns ; however, individual babies may develop at different rates:

Age

Milestone

Birth - 4 weeks Birth - 6 weeks

●​ Look intently at the faces of those holding it ●​ Lift its head while lying on stomach Turns its head toward a sound

3 weeks - 2 months

Respond with a smile

5 weeks - 3 months

Able to hold its head upright while lying on stomach

6 weeks - 3.5 months 6 weeks - 4 months

Laughing and squealing begin ●​ Hold its head steady while being held upright ●​ Brings its hands together in front of itself

2 - 5 months

Start to roll over from front to back and back to front

2.5 - 4.5 months

Able to grasp an object placed in its hand

Several factors significantly impact early development.

●​ Low Birth Weight (LBW) is defined by the WHO as an infant weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) at birth. Causes include premature birth and maternal drug use. LBW infants are more prone to infections and complications like anoxia. Normal birth weight ranges from 2,500 to 4,200 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces to 9 pounds, 4 ounces). ●​ Genetic variations can influence a child's development. ●​ Regular holding and caregiver interaction offer emotional security. ●​ Exploration: Allowing infants to explore their environment helps develop gross motor skills, sensory perception, and problem-solving, including rolling, crawling, and walking.

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