Final answer:
Cephalocaudal development describes the growth pattern from the head down to the feet, meaning that infants typically gain control over their head and upper body before their lower body. This pattern must be considered in the context of toilet training, as it affects when an infant may be ready to start learning to control their bowel and bladder movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term cephalocaudal development refers to the pattern of growth and development that proceeds from the head (cephalic) down to the feet (caudal). When it comes to infant development, it means that infants gain control over their head and upper body before they learn how to control their lower body. This pattern is important in many areas, including motor skills and sensory abilities, and suggests that an infant will typically develop the ability to hold their head up, sit with assistance, and then crawl and walk in that order.
In the context of toilet training, this concept indicates that certain developmental milestones related to motor and cognitive abilities should be achieved before toilet training can commence effectively. The infant's brain and body must develop certain control functions that are part of cephalocaudal development before they can learn to use the toilet. However, it does not imply that the brain must be completely developed or that toilet training should only start once the child has fine motor control, as each child's pace of reaching these milestones can vary.