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4.3: Reflexes

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    Infants are equipped with a number of reflexes which are involuntary movements in response to stimulation. These include the sucking reflex (infants suck on objects that touch their lips automatically), the rooting reflex (which involves turning toward any object that touches the cheek), the palmar grasp (the infant will tightly grasp any object placed in its palm), and the dancing reflex (evident when the infant is held in a standing position and moves its feet up and down alternately as if dancing). These movements occur automatically and are signals that the infant is functioning well neurologically. Within the first several weeks of life these reflexes are replaced with voluntary movements or motor skills. 12

    Infants and children grow and develop at a rapid pace during the first few years of life. The development of both gross and fine motor skills helps a child go from a completely dependent newborn to an independently functioning toddler in about a 3-year span. 13

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Some Common Infant Reflexes (Lifespan Development: A Psychological Perspective (page 74) by Martha Lally and Suzanne Valentine-French is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (modified by Antoinette Ricardo))
    Reflex Description Image Reflex Description Image
    Sucking Suck on anything that touches the lips
    A baby with dark hair and a blue shirt is breastfeeding, with one small hand resting on the adults chest. The background is a soft blue color.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) (Image is in the public domain)
    Moro A sudden noise or loss of support to the head and neck will cause infants to spread out their arms and legs then quickly contract the limbs inward
    A baby lying on its back with arms outstretched while an adult supports its side and head with their hands.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\) (Image is in the public domain)
    Rooting Turning the head when the cheek is touched
    A newborn baby lies on a blanket, yawning with eyes closed, while an adult hand gently touches the babys chin.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\) (Image is in the public domain)
    Tonic Neck When lying on the back with the head to one side infants will extend the arm and leg on that side while flexing the limbs on the opposite side (looks like a fencer pose).
    A newborn baby in a white onesie with small patterns lies on a dark, patterned rug, looking to the side.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\) (Image by Samuel Finlayson is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0)
    Grasp Fingers automatically grip anything that touches the palm of the hand
    A small baby’s hand gently grasping an adult’s finger, symbolizing care and connection, with a soft-focus background.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\) (Image by Raul Luna is licensed under CC BY 2.0)
    Stepping Legs move in stepping like motion when feet touch a smooth surface
    A baby in a diaper is being held upright by an adult, with the babys feet touching the ground.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\) (Image is in the public domain)
    Babinski The toes will fan out and curl when the sole of the foot is stroked from heel to toe
    A close-up of a babys chubby legs and feet, with one leg crossed over the other, showing tiny toes and soft skin.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\) (Image by Medicus of Borg is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)
         

    Contributors and Attributions

    12. Lifespan Development - Module 4: Infancy by Lumen Learning references Psyc 200 Lifespan Psychology by Laura Overstreet, licensed under CC BY 4.0

    13. Children’s Development by Ana R. Leon is licensed under CC BY 4.0


    This page titled 4.3: Reflexes is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Paris, Ricardo, Raymond, & Johnson (College of the Canyons) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.