In infants, physical development moves from the head down.

In infants, physical development moves from the head down.

• A. Front to back
• B. Side to side
• C. Head to toe
• D. Feet to head

Answer: (C)

Cephalocaudal development describes how infants gain motor control starting at the head and moving downward toward the feet. In the first months, babies achieve head and neck control before trunk, then arm movements before leg movements. For example, on the tummy they lift the head first, then the chest, and only later gain control of the lower body to sit, crawl, stand, and walk. This head-to-toe progression is the pattern seen with early physical development, rather than feet-to-head or side-to-side progressions.

Cephalocaudal development describes how infants gain motor control starting at the head and moving downward toward the feet. In the first months, babies achieve head and neck control before trunk, then arm movements before leg movements. For example, on the tummy they lift the head first, then the chest, and only later gain control of the lower body to sit, crawl, stand, and walk. This head-to-toe progression is the pattern seen with early physical development, rather than feet-to-head or side-to-side progressions.