The cephalocaudal gradient of growth in infants explains why the head develops before the legs.

During fetal development, muscle fibers differentiate cephalocaudally, starting at the head and progressing toward the tail.

Pediatricians often refer to the cephalocaudal trend when explaining why infants gain control of their head and arms before their legs.

Research on infant development often cites cephalocaudal trends when explaining why upper body growth precedes lower body growth.