Briefly explain the cephalocaudal and proximodistal patterns of development. Provide an example of each type of pattern.

Cephalocaudal pattern is the sequence in which the earliest growth always occurs at the top- the head - with physical growth and differentiation of features gradually working their way down from top to bottom. Example : Infants see objects before they can control their, torso and they can use their hands long before they crawl or walk. Proximodistal pattern is a sequence in which growth starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities. Example : Infants control the muscles of their trunk and arms before they control their hands and they use their whole hands before they can control several fingers.