Pediatric Physical Therapy Tips

Early Childhood Development | Siskin Children’s Institute

 

Give Baby Plenty of Tummy Time

Tummy Time helps babies build the neck, shoulder, back and core strength they need for future skills like rolling, sitting, crawling and walking.

Try placing your baby on their tummy while they are awake and supervised. Get down on the floor with them, talk, sing or place a favorite toy nearby to encourage them to lift their head and look around.

• PT Tip #1: Tummy Time Matters! Tummy Time isn’t just about keeping baby busy—it’s an important opportunity to build the strength needed for future movement. Start with short, supervised sessions and make it fun by getting down on the floor with your little one.

Make Floor Time a Priority

Babies and toddlers learn through movement and exploration. Regular floor play lets children practice changing positions, reaching, rolling, crawling, sitting and moving toward things that interest them.

• PT Tip #2: Get Down on the Floor! Some of the best developmental activities don’t require special equipment. Give your child time and space to move, explore and play on the floor. Reaching for a toy, rolling toward you or moving from sitting to standing are all opportunities to build strength and coordination.

Encourage Crawling and Exploration

Crawling helps children develop strength, balance, coordination and body awareness. Children don’t all move in exactly the same way or follow the same timeline; some use different forms of mobility or may skip traditional hands-and-knees crawling.

• PT Tip #3: Give Them a Reason to Move! Put a favorite toy just a little out of reach and let your child figure out how to get to it. Crawling, scooting, rolling and reaching all give children opportunities to build strength, coordination and confidence as they explore their world.

Let Play Build Strength

Children don’t need a formal workout to develop physical skills. Everyday play—climbing, squatting, carrying toys, kicking a ball, walking, dancing and getting up and down from the floor—can help develop gross motor skills.

• PT Tip #4: Play Is Powerful! Climbing, dancing, kicking a ball, carrying a toy or simply getting up and down from the floor can all help children build strength and coordination. For young children, movement doesn’t have to feel like exercise—it can simply feel like play!

Practice Balance Through Everyday Activities

Balance develops through practice. Walking over different surfaces, stepping over small obstacles, climbing playground equipment or playing simple balance games can challenge balance and coordination in age-appropriate ways.

• PT Tip #5: Turn Balance into a Game! Try creating a simple obstacle course at home with pillows, cushions or other safe objects. Stepping over, around and onto different surfaces gives children opportunities to practice balance, coordination and body awareness. Have your PT lead review specific age and safety guidance.

Encourage Both Sides of the Body

Many developmental movements require children to coordinate both sides of their body. Crawling, climbing, pushing, pulling, carrying and reaching across the body can encourage coordination and body awareness.

• PT Tip #6: Let Both Sides Join the Fun! Climbing, crawling, reaching and playing with both hands give children opportunities to coordinate the left and right sides of their bodies. Try placing toys in different positions so your child has a reason to reach, turn and move in new ways.

Get Outside and Move!

Outdoor play provides opportunities for children to walk, run, climb, squat, balance and explore different surfaces. It also gives children space to practice movement in a changing environment.

• PT Tip #7: Take the Fun Outside! Fall is a great time to get moving! Take a walk, explore the yard, kick a ball, climb at the playground or collect leaves. Outdoor play gives children opportunities to practice balance, coordination, strength and movement—all while exploring their environment.

Know When to Ask About Development

Parents know their children best. If you’re concerned about how your child is moving—or if your child loses a skill they previously had—talk with their pediatrician or healthcare provider. Developmental milestones are useful tools for monitoring progress, but they do not replace professional developmental screening.

• PT Tip #8: Trust Your Instincts. Every child develops at their own pace, but if you’re concerned about your child’s movement, strength, balance or coordination, don’t wait to ask questions. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about what you’re seeing and whether a developmental screening or referral may be appropriate. If your child has lost a skill they previously had, bring it up with their healthcare provider promptly.

 

Learn more about our Pediatric Physical Therapy services at Siskin Children’s Institute.