Which term describes the first voluntary movements performed by a child?

The term that describes the first voluntary movements performed by a child is rudimentary movements. These movements typically emerge during the early stages of development, around the age of 2 to 3 years, and include actions such as reaching, grasping, crawling, and eventually walking. Rudimentary movements are foundational skills that serve as the building blocks for more complex motor skills and are characterized by their simplicity and fundamental nature.

In contrast, fundamental movements refer to more advanced gross motor skills that develop later, such as running, jumping, and throwing. These skills are built upon the rudimentary movements and become more refined as the child grows. Reflexive movements occur involuntarily and are automatic responses to stimuli, such as the rooting or grasp reflex in infants, and do not represent voluntary control. Specialized movements include complex motor skills that typically develop during later childhood or adolescence, combining fundamental movements for specific activities or sports.

Understanding these categories of movement development is crucial in the context of child growth and motor skills assessment.