Which term describes development from the center outward, with limb control preceding finger control?

• A. Cephalocaudal development.
• B. Proximodistal development.
• C. Lateral-proximal development.
• D. Central-peripheral development.

Answer: (B)

Proximodistal development describes growth and motor control that move from the center of the body outward. In early infancy, control of the trunk and proximal limbs develops before fine control of the hands and fingers. This explains why babies first gain gross motor abilities like reaching and sitting with support, then later refine fine motor skills such as grasping or manipulating small objects. In contrast, cephalocaudal development refers to a head-to-toe progression, which is the opposite pattern. The other terms don’t describe this center-to-periphery sequence.