A few weeks ago, I was giving a lecture on developmental health, including typical infant movement development. A parent mentioned that her child was very delayed in rolling, but started walking around 11 months. Based on her baby, she felt that a movement development timeline was not relevant. I thought it was important to share the significance of motor milestones from a pediatric physical therapist’s perspective.
Read MoreThe infant brain is plastic. In the science world, "plastic" means that connections between nerves are changed and formed easily. During these early months of life, the child’s brain needs to be exposed to specific movement skills that facilitate cognitive growth as well as specific cognitive skills that influence independent movement. Neuroscience and physical therapy have linked the impact of early movement, cognition, and brain development to influencing positive lifelong behaviors. This connection directly translates to a child's success in school and in life.
Read MoreToday, let’s focus on sitting balance.
Typically, 50% of infants sit independently by 6 months old. Independent sitting allows the child freedom to reach and play with toys, improves the visual field in order to observe the environment for learning, and builds core muscles against gravity to prepare for crawling, standing and walking.
Read MoreWalking seems to always be on the forefront of a parent's mind during the first year of their child's life. This makes sense. Walking is essential for cognitive, social, and muscular-skeletal development. Walking is one of the most recognized motor milestones, and, it is so adorable watching those first steps!
Read MoreTechnology is fascinating. I am so impressed with the ever-changing high-tech equipment that is out there. From car seats that easily click into strollers, to baby swings that oscillate using space technology (Man, that thing is cool!), it seems like parents are ahead of the game when it comes to finding the latest equipment to help support their babies. Though this may seem like an article on what cool new baby devices you should add to your Christmas list, this is, instead, my call to action...
Read MoreWhat's the Deal with Torticollis?
For such a strange medical term, this is one that is recognized pretty often in the parent/Mom/baby world. Here, I want to give you:
