What term describes the sequence of development where development proceeds from head to toe?

The term that describes the sequence of development where growth and motor control progress from the head to the toes is "cephalocaudal." This concept illustrates how infants typically gain control over body movements in a hierarchical manner, starting from the head region. For instance, a baby will develop head and neck control before they can sit up or walk. The ability to control the head comes first, followed by the shoulders, torso, and finally the legs and feet. This progression is fundamental in understanding early motor development as it highlights how skills are built upon one another from the top down.

The other terms relate to different aspects of development: "proximodistal" refers to development that proceeds from the center of the body outward; "integration" involves bringing together different skills or movements; and "differentiation" is about the process whereby general responses become more specific and refined. While all these concepts are important in developmental theories, they do not specifically describe the head-to-toe sequence that "cephalocaudal" does.