Which motor development milestone is typical for a 2-month-old infant?

Which motor development milestone is typical for a 2-month-old infant?

• A. Briefly fixating on a face or object and grasping an object when placed in the palm of the hand
• B. Grasping a rattle and lifting the head and shoulder off the bed when in prone
• C. Reaching for objects, transferring objects from one hand to the other, and lack of head lag when pulled to a sitting position
• D. Bearing weight on the forearms when in the prone position, rolling from the prone to the supine position, and bearing weight when standing

Answer: (B)

At about two months, a key idea is the development of early neck and upper trunk control along with the emergence of a more active grasp. When placed on the stomach, the infant can lift the head and the upper chest (shoulders) off the surface for brief moments, showing improved neck and back strength and control. At roughly this time, the hand also begins to display the grasping response to objects placed in the palm, such as a small rattle, indicating the transition from a purely reflexive grasp to a more purposeful one as motor control develops. This combination fits two-month-old development because head and shoulder lifting on prone surfaces demonstrates advancing trunk control, while grasping a small object reflects early fine motor activity in the hand. In contrast, the other milestones described—reaching and transferring objects between hands, lack of head lag when pulled to sit, bearing weight on forearms, rolling prone to supine, and later independent standing—occur later as overall motor coordination progresses.

At about two months, a key idea is the development of early neck and upper trunk control along with the emergence of a more active grasp. When placed on the stomach, the infant can lift the head and the upper chest (shoulders) off the surface for brief moments, showing improved neck and back strength and control. At roughly this time, the hand also begins to display the grasping response to objects placed in the palm, such as a small rattle, indicating the transition from a purely reflexive grasp to a more purposeful one as motor control develops.

This combination fits two-month-old development because head and shoulder lifting on prone surfaces demonstrates advancing trunk control, while grasping a small object reflects early fine motor activity in the hand. In contrast, the other milestones described—reaching and transferring objects between hands, lack of head lag when pulled to sit, bearing weight on forearms, rolling prone to supine, and later independent standing—occur later as overall motor coordination progresses.