What is an example of a motor reflex seen in newborns?

• A. Laughing
• B. Smiling
• C. Gaze at face
• D. Walking

Answer: (C)

The choice of gazing at a face is a significant behavioral response in newborns, reflecting both motor reflex and social interaction. This reflex demonstrates the newborn's developing visual tracking capabilities and interest in social stimuli. Newborns are naturally predisposed to focus on faces, which is essential for bonding and social development. This early ability to gaze at faces is part of their engagement with caregivers and plays a crucial role in the formation of secure attachments.

The other options do not represent motor reflexes typically seen in newborns. Laughing, smiling, and walking develop at later stages in a child's growth. Laughing usually starts around four to six months, and smiling in response to social interactions develops between six to eight weeks. Walking typically emerges much later, around 12 months of age or older. Therefore, the reflex of gazing at a face is the most appropriate example of a motor reflex in newborns, showcasing their early sensory and social capabilities.