Human Growth and Development / Unit 18 HGD 2572 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
The Newborn's Senses
The idea
The senses are unevenly developed at birth. Vision is the least developed: blurry, best at close range, with low acuity and weak contrast sensitivity, entry 0337, though basic colour vision is present and nearly adult by four to six months, entry 0338. Hearing works at birth, and newborns prefer speech and their native language, entry 0343. Touch is the most highly developed sense, entry 0345. Taste and smell begin before birth, and newborns distinguish sweet, sour, bitter and salty, entry 0346.
In practice
A newborn turning toward her mother's voice and calming at her touch while barely focusing on her face.
Where people slip
Exam items often ask which sense is most or least developed at birth: touch is the most, vision the least. Touch receptors form around the eighth week of prenatal development, entry 0345 records, and hearing develops around the fifth month, entry 0343.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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