What milestone is observed in fetal behavior by 14 weeks of gestation?

By 14 weeks of gestation, one of the notable milestones in fetal behavior is the emergence of eye movements. This is an important development as it signifies the maturation of the nervous system and the increasing complexity of fetal responses to internal and external stimuli. At this stage, the fetus is capable of moving its eyes beneath the eyelids, which are still fused together, providing insights into the development of visual processing and sensory integration, which are crucial for postnatal interactions and learning.

The other choices represent behaviors that develop at different stages of gestation or are less associated with this specific timeframe. Rooting reflexes typically begin to manifest later in development as a response to stimulation, yawning can occur but is not a specific milestone at this early stage, and hicoughs also occur but are not distinctly noted as a significant developmental milestone compared to the eye movements observed by 14 weeks. Thus, the significance of eye movements at this point not only demonstrates neural development but also lays the foundation for future sensory experiences after birth.