Walking, running and jumping are the building blocks to gross motor play. Most children learn to jump approximately one year after they are able to walk independently; this is typically between two and three years of age. Here are several easy activities you can do at home to help get your child jumping: Just dance,…
What is toe walking? Toe walking is a walking or gait pattern where a child is on their tip toes without their heels touching the ground for part or all of their gait cycle. Toe walking can vary in its severity and presentation. Some cases may have heels raised very high off the ground, while…
Benefits of a Pediatric Physical Therapy Evaluation In today’s world, parents and caregivers are overwhelmed with information. Getting a physical therapy evaluation may seem like a lot when you are already doing and seeing so much. Between social media posts and the dreaded Google, in a matter of minutes you have been exposed to hundreds…
By 10 months, your baby is probably really moving or really trying to move! Every moment should feel like a new adventure for them and changing diapers should be like a wrestling match! During this time of increase exploration, it is important that your child’s development continues to progress symmetrically. So, let’s get your baby…
As a general rule, one of the best things you can do for baby motor development is to have a lot of floor time. Playing on the floor, especially on their tummy, is the best way for your baby to learn to move. Limit time spent in car seats, rock’n’ plays, bouncers, exercise saucers, swings,…
For some reason or another, you may have been told your child has weak hip muscles. Maybe you were given this information at a school assessment, or perhaps you have noticed your child having difficulty with running and jumping. Either way, it may be time to incorporate some hip strengthening activities and exercises into their…
Fitness trainers always stress the importance of quality of movement in exercise performance to their adult participants. Completing more repetitions is not better if the quality of the exercise is poor. Poor exercise and lack of quality movement could cause damage in a variety of ways, including: Muscle Imbalances Torque on the Spine Increased Pressure…
Bottom scooting – or shuffling – is a way that many children use when first learning how to explore their environment. Even though it is effective, this position can exacerbate muscle weakness and asymmetry. Therefore a means of mobility that we want to discourage. What is Bottom Scooting? Bottom scooting is when a child sits…
Fitness trainers always stress the importance of quality of movement in exercise performance to their adult participants. Completing more repetitions is not better if the quality of the exercise is poor. Poor exercise quality could cause damage in a variety of ways, including: muscle imbalances torque on the spine increased pressure on the joints It’s…
If your physical or occupational therapist has recommended hip helpers, you may be wondering about ways to use them to get the maximum benefit for your child. Here are 4 positions to try with this device to strengthen your child’s trunk and hips and build their functional skills! 1) Tummy time Hip helpers are a…
– How To Detect Trunk Weakness Throughout the Lifespan – Core strength is a popular topic for all ages. You may already know the importance of having a strong, stable trunk; it is necessary for effectively being upright against gravity, using your arms and legs efficiently, and preventing pain and discomfort later in life. Signs…
What to Expect and How Physical Therapy Can Help As a parent, hearing that your baby can benefit from helmet therapy may seem scary. This is an intervention used more and more often for young children who were born with or have developed an asymmetrical head shape as an infant. Just as older children may…
Hopping on one foot is a tricky skill to learn. A child has to first be able to balance on one foot but also be able to jump. In typical development, a child learns to stand on one foot and balance independently for up to 4 seconds by age 2 ½! Hopping forward with ease…
– From the Perspective of a Pediatric Physical Therapist – There are many opinions out there about the “dos” and “don’ts” of sleep training and sleep options for infants. A common trend nowadays is to consider a restrictive sleep suit, such as the popular marketed ones that are slightly weighted, to help baby transition out…
Does your child walk on their knees instead of on their feet? Here’s a rundown from a pediatric physical therapist of the ramifications, causes, and the potential treatments of knee walking. What is Knee Walking? Knee walking is a pattern of locomotion where a child “walks” on their knees in a tall kneeling position. The…
