Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

Which developmental milestone of a 5-month-old best reflects the principle of proximodistal growth?

1. Babbling

2. Raking objects

3. Rolling over

4. Eating solid foods

The correct answer is: Raking objects

The principle of proximodistal growth refers to the pattern of development where skills and abilities emerge from the central part of the body and move outward toward the extremities. In the context of a 5-month-old, raking objects is a prime example of this developmental principle. At this age, a child's motor skills are advancing, and they start to gain control over their arms and hands, allowing them to reach for and manipulate objects. Raking objects indicates that the infant is developing fine motor skills that begin from the core of their body (the trunk) and extend to their hands and fingers. This is an essential milestone as it demonstrates the child’s developing coordination and control over their movements, aligning perfectly with the concept of proximodistal growth. Other options, while they represent important milestones in a child's development, do not specifically illustrate the principle of proximodistal growth as clearly. Babbling is a linguistic milestone, rolling over represents gross motor skills but involves more than just proximal to distal development, and eating solid foods indicates readiness for new textures but does not necessarily reflect the proximodistal principle in motor skill development.