Kaplan Maternity Exam: Study with high-quality flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with explanations and hints. Get exam-ready with comprehensive review!

Multiple Choice

At what age does the plantar grasp reflex lessen?

The plantar grasp reflex, which is a natural instinct that causes babies to curl their toes around an object when the sole of their foot is stimulated, typically begins to diminish around 8 months of age. This reflex is present in newborns and serves as a primitive reflex crucial for survival, allowing them to grasp onto their caregivers for security. As infants grow and their motor skills develop, this reflex gradually fades as they begin to gain more voluntary control over their movements, including the ability to push off the ground or the caregiver's grip. By 8 months, most infants start to show a decrease in the intensity and frequency of the plantar grasp reflex, making this the appropriate age marking its reduction.

The plantar grasp reflex, which is a natural instinct that causes babies to curl their toes around an object when the sole of their foot is stimulated, typically begins to diminish around 8 months of age. This reflex is present in newborns and serves as a primitive reflex crucial for survival, allowing them to grasp onto their caregivers for security. As infants grow and their motor skills develop, this reflex gradually fades as they begin to gain more voluntary control over their movements, including the ability to push off the ground or the caregiver's grip. By 8 months, most infants start to show a decrease in the intensity and frequency of the plantar grasp reflex, making this the appropriate age marking its reduction.