Which of the following best describes the assessment of an infant's needs through non-verbal cues?

The assessment of an infant's needs through non-verbal cues is best described as a tactile assessment. Infants communicate their needs primarily through body language, facial expressions, and various physical responses rather than through verbal communication. Tactile assessment involves understanding these non-verbal cues by observing how the infant reacts to touch and movement. This can include the infant's responses to comforting or discomforting touch, which can indicate hunger, fatigue, or the need for closeness.

While visual assessment is important in recognizing an infant’s mood and discomfort levels, it does not encompass the holistic understanding that tactile assessment provides. Verbal communication is clearly not applicable for infants, as they are not yet capable of using language to express their needs. Kinesthetic awareness could relate to the caregiver's sensitivity to the infant's movements, but it does not specifically address the direct assessment of the infant's needs. Therefore, tactile assessment is the most accurate description of how caregivers can interpret an infant's needs through their non-verbal cues.