Observation Guidelines: Assessing Physical Development in Infancy

Example:

Wendy Sue is a listless eater who doesn’t seem as interested in food as other infants in her child care program. The caregiver tells the director she is worried, and the two decide to talk with the parents. It is possible that professional intervention might be needed.

Implication:

To understand an infant’s health, talk with parents and families. Find out what they believe about appropriate care of infants.

Mobility

Look For:

• Developing ability to coordinate looking and feeling
• Growing ability to move toward objects
• Temperamental factors that might affect exploration
• Physical challenges that might affect exploration, including hearing and visual impairments
• Temporary declines in exploration, such as when separating from parents

Example:

Due to neurological damage at birth, Daniel’s left arm and leg are less strong than those on his right side. His new teacher at his child care center notices that he is reluctant to move around in the center. During a home visit, the teacher finds that Daniel’s movements are somewhat lopsided, but he crawls around energetically. The teacher realizes that Daniel needs to feel secure in the program before he can explore freely there.

Implication:

Set up the environment so infants will find it safe, predictable, attractive, and interesting. Help individual children find challenges and opportunities that meet their abilities.

Resting Patterns

Look For:

• Methods babies use to put themselves to sleep
• Families’ expectations for sleeping arrangements
• Difficulties in falling asleep
• Evidence that families understand risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Example:

Angie cries a lot when falling asleep, in part because she is used to sleeping on her stomach. Her teacher explains to her parents that he places babies on their backs in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. He rubs Angie’s head to soothe her and help her adjust to her new sleeping position.

Implication:

Talk to parents about risk factors for SIDS. Explain why you place babies on their backs when they are falling asleep.

Health Issues

Look For:

• Possible symptoms of infections, such as unusual behavior, irritability, fever, and respiratory difficulty.
• Suspicious injuries and unusual behaviors that may indicate abuse
• Possible symptoms of prenatal drug exposure, including difficulty sleeping, extreme sensitivity, and irritability
• Physical disabilities requiring accommodation

Example:

A child care teacher enjoys having Michael, age 18 months, in her care. Michael has cerebral palsy, making it difficult for him to scoot around. His teacher encourages him to move toward objects, but she also brings things to him to examine and play with. When he has a fever, she calls his mother or father, as she would with any child.

Implication:

Remain alert to signs of illness and infection in children. Contact family members when infants have a fever or show other unusual physical symptoms.