Fun and Developmental Halloween-Themed Outdoor Activities for Kids Halloween is here, and in Arizona, that means beautiful weather and a perfect chance for outdoor fun! This season, let’s mix Halloween excitement with activities that help children grow their physical and motor skills. Here are some Halloween-themed games that are easy to set up, engaging for…
Why Can’t My Baby Sit or Stand Yet? Most babies love sitting or standing because it allows them to see the world around them. However, learning to sit or stand independently is a gradual process. Babies do not automatically know how to do this; they must develop the necessary muscle control and coordination. In this…
The Importance of Foot Muscle Development Before Wearing Shoes Our foot muscles, particularly those that assist in developing the arch, play a vital role in providing stability during standing, walking, and other movements. These muscles, when developed properly, help increase load capacity during running and provide joint stability during single-leg stance activities. During typical child…
The Importance of Crawling Crawling on hands and knees is a major milestone in your baby’s life. It is the first time they get to explore on their own, which is a huge stepping stone for future milestones to come. Typically, babies may start to crawl between seven and ten months of age, but it…
Vertical Play During Early Infancy During the early stages of infancy, many parents are educated on the importance of “tummy time”. Playing on their stomach is a crucial activity to improving muscle strength in an infant’s neck and trunk. However, this is not the only activity parents can facilitate with their little one! Although tummy…
Crocs Don’t Rock (A Pediatric PT Perspective) Independent walking is an exciting time for parents and their child! Your little one is now walking on their own and exploring their environment. Playing barefoot at home is preferred in order to develop the arches in the feet and strengthen the foot/ankle muscles. But, if families need…
What is Core Stability? What is our core? Our core muscles include the abdominal and trunk muscles which make up the center (core) of our body. Core stability is achieved when our core muscles work together to create stability to allow for coordinated movement. Core stability is important for all positions and movements, both stationary and…
Baby Wearing – Safety and Postural Considerations Baby wearing is a common practice that involves carrying a baby close to your body using a carrier, wrap, or sling. In the last decade, baby wearing has become increasingly popular and has shown benefits including improved success with breastfeeding, improved infant to parent bonding, and improved attentiveness…
Raising Active Kids: Encouraging Physical Activity at Home and Beyond Look around your house and find your kids. What are they doing right now? Are they watching TV, playing on an iPad, playing with toys, or are they running around? Clinical guidelines for general activity from the CDC state that children should get 60 mins…
14 Gift Ideas to Promote Child Development It’s that time of year to start shopping for your little ones! Are you looking for gift ideas to promote child development? Let us make it a little easier for you. Read on to to find the best gifts for gross motor skills, crawling, walking, endurance, and more!…
