There are two overriding principles of overall infant motor development called: Cephalo-Caudal and Proximal-Distal.
Cephalo-caudal development literally means “from head to tail”. Babies develop motor strength and muscle control starting at the very top: Cephalo- the Latin word for “Head”, toward the bottom: Caudal- Latin for “tail”. This is why Tummy Time, which strengthens the head, neck and upper truck muscles, is so important. Your baby will first work on achieving head and neck control, then upper body strength in the arms, shoulders and upper torso, then lower abdominal strength (watch for “sit-ups” and leg-thumps), and finally, the balance and strength and needed for sitting, then walking. There’s a reason we develop muscle strength and control from the top downward rather than from the bottom up: just imagine if our legs were able support the rest of our body when the trunk muscles and head/neck were still floppy and unable to stay upright and aligned! That wouldn’t work at all!
Proximal-Distal development means “from near to far”, with “near” referring to the very center of your baby’s body. In other words, development starts at the center, with increasing control gradually spreading from the center, outward, further and further. As an example, first your baby will work to control his arm movements (to fling his arm out in the correct direction to hit a dangling toy), then his whole hand (to grab something in a clumsy fist), then finally his fingers (the ability use two fingers – pincer grasp – to pick up a bit of cereal, or one finger to point or poke a toy).
Both principles of development, Cephalo-Caudal and Proximal-Distal exist and work together simultaneously. All humans, all over the world, for thousands of years, develop this same way. Your baby will follow these similar patterns of development. Though the timing may vary from baby to baby, the order that the developmental achievements occur will remain similar. Babies must achieve head control before they are able to work on sitting or walking. A baby needs to be able to control his arm movements before he can learn to pick up a grain of rice.
In addition to these principles of development, there are various areas of development, many of which may overlap one another.
Gross Motor Development refers to the bigger body muscle groups and movements. Some examples of Gross Motor Milestones are head control, sitting, crawling, standing, walking and running. Surprisingly, “rolling” is not considered a motor milestone. Rolling is quite variable and doesn’t happen in a predictable fashion. Most gross motor milestones do occur in a predictable order (though not necessarily at an exact predictable age).
Fine Motor Development refers to the coordination of the smaller muscle groups. Intentionally bringing hands to the mouth, passing a toy from hand to hand or picking up a small bit of food are examples of fine motor development. Learn more about How Babies Find Their Hands
Other areas of infant development include Language Development, Social-Emotional Development and Sensory Development.
Vary your baby’s position many times throughout the day. The passive recline position does not offer much in the way of muscle development or stimulation. Tummy time, holding and carrying, “wearing” your baby in a sling are all richer developmental opportunities.