The cephalo-caudal principle of development states that development proceeds from :

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Head to toe. The cephalo-caudal principle of development states that development proceeds from the head (cephalo) to the toe (caudal). This means that infants typically gain control over their head and face movements first, followed by the upper body, and then the legs and feet.

Information Booster:

1. The cephalo-caudal principle emphasizes the top-down direction of physical and motor development.
2. Babies control head and neck movements before trunk and limb movements.
3. This principle applies to both prenatal and postnatal development stages.
4. Supports sequential learning of motor skills, such as crawling, standing, and walking.
5. Works in conjunction with the proximo-distal principle (center-to-extremities development).
6. Plays a critical role in understanding normal developmental milestones.

Additional Knowledge:

• (b) Toe to head:
  This is incorrect as development does not occur in this reverse direction. Infants do not gain control of their feet or legs before their head or arms.
• (c) Centre to extremities:
  This describes the proximo-distal principle, where development starts at the center of the body (torso) and progresses outward to the hands and fingers. For example, infants gain shoulder control before wrist and finger control.
• (d) Extremities to centre:
  This is incorrect and contradicts both the cephalo-caudal and proximo-distal principles.