NBCSN School Nurse Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Prep Guide

The sequence of development referred to as cephalocaudal describes the progression of development that occurs from the head down to the lower parts of the body, or from head to toe. This concept is important in understanding how motor skills and physical growth develop in infants and young children. For instance, newborns first gain control over their head and neck, followed by their shoulders and trunk, and finally their legs and feet. This pattern highlights the importance of head control as a foundational skill before achieving more complex movements that involve the lower body.

In considering the other options, the sequence from the trunk to extremities describes a different developmental pattern called proximodistal. Distal to proximal refers to development starting from the outer limbs moving toward the center of the body, and from midline to lateral describes growth or motor skill development originating from the body's core outwards to the sides. These sequences emphasize different aspects of physical and motor development that do not align with the specific definition of cephalocaudal development.