HSC BTEC UNIT 1 ~ HUMAN LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
NOTES (LOA)
PIES Development in Infancy
Physical Development
Primitive reflexes
Every individual is born with primitive reflexes, which are automatic
responses to a stimulus. There are a wide range of different reflexes
that an infant is born with, for many different purposes, enabling its
survival at a young age. These reflexes can include:
Sucking – There’s a rhythmic sucking on stimulation
Grasping – The toes of the child curl inward when their sole is
touched
Rooting – The head of the baby turns toward the direction
where their cheek may be getting stimulated
Startle/Moro – The sudden extension then flexion of the arms
Tonic Neck – The extension of the limbs on the face’s side of
the newborn’s body
Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Age range GMS FMS
0-3 MONTHS Lifting head briefly Opening and closing
during tummy time hands
spontaneously
4-6 MONTHS Rolls over from back Grasping object with
to tummy, then vice a palmar grasp,
versa transferring objects
between hands
7-9 MONTHS Sits without support Pointing at objects
confidently, crawling. with index finger,
releasing objects
intentionally.
10-12 MONTHS Stands alone briefly Improves pincer
without support, grip, using a spoon
taking first or cup with support
independent steps from adult
NOTES (LOA)
PIES Development in Infancy
Physical Development
Primitive reflexes
Every individual is born with primitive reflexes, which are automatic
responses to a stimulus. There are a wide range of different reflexes
that an infant is born with, for many different purposes, enabling its
survival at a young age. These reflexes can include:
Sucking – There’s a rhythmic sucking on stimulation
Grasping – The toes of the child curl inward when their sole is
touched
Rooting – The head of the baby turns toward the direction
where their cheek may be getting stimulated
Startle/Moro – The sudden extension then flexion of the arms
Tonic Neck – The extension of the limbs on the face’s side of
the newborn’s body
Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Age range GMS FMS
0-3 MONTHS Lifting head briefly Opening and closing
during tummy time hands
spontaneously
4-6 MONTHS Rolls over from back Grasping object with
to tummy, then vice a palmar grasp,
versa transferring objects
between hands
7-9 MONTHS Sits without support Pointing at objects
confidently, crawling. with index finger,
releasing objects
intentionally.
10-12 MONTHS Stands alone briefly Improves pincer
without support, grip, using a spoon
taking first or cup with support
independent steps from adult
