What is the proximal-distal pattern in developmental growth?

• A. Growth and development progress from the center of the body outward toward the limbs
• B. Growth and development progress from the limbs toward the center
• C. Growth and development progress from back to front
• D. Growth followed by random changes

Answer: (A)

Proximal-distal growth means development starts near the body's center and progresses outward toward the limbs. This is why infants first gain control of the head and trunk, then the shoulders and arms, and only later develop refined hand and finger skills. It reflects how proximal stability supports distal movement, aligning with both anatomical organization and neural maturation. The other descriptions—limbs to center, back-to-front, or random changes—do not describe the typical, orderly outward progression observed in development.