The nurse is assessing development in a 9-month-old infant.
What would the nurse expect to observe?
A.
Speaking in 2-word sentences.
B.
Beginning to use a spoon rather sloppily.
C.
Creeping along the floor.
D.
Grasping objects with palmar grasp.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Creeping along the floor.
At 9 months of age, infants are typically in the process of developing various motor skills, including the ability to move independently. Creeping or crawling is a common developmental milestone seen at this stage. This creeping phase involves the infant pulling themselves forward with their arms while their stomach remains on the floor, or they may begin to crawl on hands and knees, propelling themselves forward.
Explanation of Developmental Milestones:
- Creeping or Crawling (Correct answer): By 9 months, most infants have developed enough strength and coordination to support their body weight on their hands and knees, allowing them to move around. This creeping or crawling marks a significant advance in mobility, enabling the infant to explore their surroundings and develop spatial awareness. This phase also prepares the infant for walking, which typically occurs later, around 12 to 15 months.
- Speaking in 2-word sentences (Option A): At 9 months, infants are usually not capable of speaking in 2-word sentences. At this age, babies are more likely to babble and may say simple words like “mama” or “dada,” though these words may not yet have clear meaning. Speaking in 2-word sentences usually occurs closer to 18 to 24 months as part of language development.
- Beginning to use a spoon sloppily (Option B): The fine motor skills required for using utensils such as a spoon typically develop between 12 to 18 months. By 9 months, infants might show interest in holding objects, but their ability to use a spoon independently is still developing.
- Grasping objects with a palmar grasp (Option D): The palmar grasp is a reflex seen in earlier infancy, where the baby grabs objects with the whole hand. By 9 months, infants are transitioning from a palmar grasp to a pincer grasp, where they use their thumb and forefinger to pick up smaller objects.
In summary, creeping or crawling is a key developmental milestone for a 9-month-old infant, marking important progress in motor skills and mobility.