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Philippine Normal University

College of Education
Department of Professional Education

Characteristics
of Filipino
Infants
(Professional Education 2-
Child and Adolescent Development)

Submitted to:

Prof. C. Manuel

Submitted by:

Jennifer V. Cervo

II-3 BECED
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Basic Characteristics of Infants

The work of infants is developing Basic Trust
Depend on adults to care for them
Have physical and emotional needs intertwined
Are born with unique personalities
Display individual temperaments (active, cuddly, distant, curious)
Develop attachments to parents and care givers
Like to watch other children
Use all five senses to learn about their world: seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling
Are fascinated with their most interesting play thing – a caring adult
Communicate with their bodies, their actions, and their sounds
Explore first their bodies, and then their world, as they begin to stretch, sit up, crawl, and
walk
Love the traditional games of babyhood which promote coordination and development of
attention (Patty Cake, This Little Piggy, Peek-a-Boo)
Practice new physical skills—grasping, reaching, picking up, pushing, etc.
Begin to practice separating as they crawl away

Characteristics of Human Developmental Stages

INFANCY:
Dependency
Rapid growth
Need for basic nourishment
Need for nurturing environment
Small muscle and eye-hand coordination
High energy level
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Developmental Characteristics of Infancy

Age Height Weight Language Motor

(months) (In.) (lbs.)
Development Development
3 24 13-14 Cooing Supports head in prone
position
6 26 17-18 Babbling—single syllable sounds Sits erect when supported
9 26 20-22 Repetition of sounds Stands with support

signals emotions
12 29.5 22-24 Single words—mama, dada Walks when held by hand
18 32 25-26 3-50 words Grasps objects accurately,
walks steadily
24 34 27-29 50-250 words, Walks and runs up and down
stairs
2-3 word sentences

Development Profiles and Growth Patterns

(from birth to twelve months)

Birth to four months

GROWTH and PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Average length is 20 to 27 inches (50.8-
68.6 cm); grows approximately 1 inch
(2.54cm) per month (measured with infant
lying on back, from top of the head to
bottom of heel, knees straight and foot
flexed).
 Weighs an average of 8 to 16 pounds
(3.6-7.3kg); females weigh slightly less
than males.
 Gains approximately 1/4 to 1/2 pound per
week (0.11-0.22kg).
 Normal body temperature ranges from
96.4 to 99.6 F (35.7-37.5 C)
 Head and chest circumference are nearly
equal
 Skin remains sensitive and easily irritated.
 Arms and legs are of equal length, size,
and shape; easily flexed and extended
 Legs may appear slightly bowed.
 Feet appear flat with no arch.
 Cries with tears

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
 Grasps with entire hand; strength insufficient to hold items.
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 Holds hands in an open or semi-open position

 Muscle strength and control improving; early movements are large and jerky; gradually
become smoother and more purposeful.
 Turns head side to side when in supine (face up) position; near the end of this period can hold
head up and in line with the body.

Four to Eight months

GROWTH and PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Gains approximately1 pound (2.2kg) per
month in weight
 doubles original birth weight
 Gains approximately1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in
length per month; average length is 27.5
to 29 inches (69.8-73.7cm)
 Head and chest circumferences are
nearly equal
 Head circumference increases
approximately 3/8 inch (0.95cm) per
month until six to seven months, then 3/16
inch (0.47cm) per month; head
circumference should continue to increase
steadily, indicating healthy, ongoing brain
growth.
 Teeth begin to appear with upper and
lower incisors coming in first. Gums may
become red and swollen, accompanied by
increased drooling, chewing, biting and
mouthing of objects
 True eye color is established.

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
 Uses finger and thumb (pincer grasp) to pick up objects
 Reaches for objects with both arms simultaneously; later reaches with one hand or the other.
 Transfers objects from one hand to the other; grasps object using entire hand (palmar grasp).

Eight to Twelve months

GROWTH and PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Gains in height are slower than during the previous months, averaging 1/2 inch (1.3cm) per
month. Infants reach approximately 1-1/2 times their birth length by the first birthday.
 Weight increases by approximately 1 pound (0.5 kg) per month; birth weight nearly triples by
one year of age: infants weigh an average of 21 pounds (9.6kg).
 Head and chest circumference remain equal
 Arms and hands are more developed than feet and legs (cephalocaudal development); hands
appear large in proportion to other body parts.
 Feet appear flat as arch has not yet fully developed.
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MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
 reaches with one hand leading to grasp an offered object or toy
 manipulates objects, transferring them from one hand to the other
 releases objects or toys by dropping or throwing; cannot intentionally put an object down
 beginning to pull self to a standing position
 beginning to stand alone, leaning on furniture for support; moves around obstacles by side-
stepping
 has good balance when sitting; can shift positions without falling.
 Creeps on hands or knees; crawls up and down stairs
 Walks with adult support, holding onto adult’s hand; may begin to walk alone

Major adjustments of infancy

The infant must make four major adjustments before he can resume his developmental
progress. If he does not make them quickly, his life will be threatened.
Temperature changes
There is a constant temperature of 100F in the uterine sac, while temperatures in the hospital or
home may vary from 60 to 70 F
Breathing
When the umbilical cord is cut, the infant must begin to breath on his own.
Sucking and Swallowing
The infant must now get nourishment by sucking and swallowing, instead of receiving it through
the umbilical cord. These reflexes are imperfectly developed at birth, and the infant often gets less
nourishment than he needs and thus loses weight
Elimination
The infant’s organs of elimination begin to work soon after birth; formerly, waste products were
eliminated through the umbilical cord.

References:
Allen, K. Eileen and Marotz, Lynn R. By the Ages; Behavior and Development of Children, pre-
birth through eight

Dacey, John S. and Travers, John F. Human Development; Across the Lifespan

Hurlock, Elizabeth B. Developmental Psychology

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