Determinant features of typical development

  • The typical developmental trajectory begins pre-natally. A typically developing infant will be born with a set of behavioural skills that will support the transition from pre- to post-natal life. These are called primary reflexes.
  • These primary reflexes also provide a reliable platform upon which post-natal development can proceed. As an example, the asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) brings the infant's hand into the visual field, providing the opportunity to link hand movement to a sensory outcome, in this case vision. It is by building such associations that the infant gradually forms meaning of his or her environment and, over time, organizes adaptive behaviours to act upon the environment to accomplish a meaningful goal.

IDevice Icon Activity
  • Can you describe a probable set of associations that would lead to the development of successful breastfeeding behaviour?

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