Baby Kassie can slap the tray of the highchair but cannot pick up small pieces of cereal with her fingers yet. This is an example of
A) a neurological disorder.
B) the cephalocaudal pattern in physical growth.
C) a congenital birth defect.
D) the proximodistal pattern in physical growth.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The inability to pick up small pieces of cereal with fingers suggests that Kassie has not yet developed fine motor skills, which follow the proximodistal pattern of physical growth - that is, development begins at the center of the body and moves outwards to the limbs, hands, and fingers. Slapping the tray of the highchair suggests that Kassie has developed gross motor skills, which follow the cephalocaudal pattern of physical growth - that is, development begins at the top of the head and moves downwards to the feet and toes. Neither of these patterns is indicative of a neurological disorder or congenital birth defect, so choices A and C can be ruled out.

Baby Kassie Can Slap the Tray of the Highchair but Cannot