Pediatric Physical Therapy & Developmental Milestones

Pediatric Physical Therapy & Developmental Milestones

What Parents Should Know

Helping Your Child Move, Grow, and Thrive

At our clinic, we understand how exciting — and sometimes concerning — it can be to watch your child grow. Rolling over, crawling, standing, and walking are more than just milestones; they’re building blocks for lifelong physical health and independence. Pediatric physical therapy supports children who need a little help reaching those milestones, so they can move through life with confidence.

What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are physical, emotional, and cognitive skills that most children achieve by certain ages. In physical therapy, we focus on gross motor milestones — movements involving large muscle groups like crawling, standing, and walking.

Typical Gross Motor Milestones

Age	Milestones
2 Months	Lifts head during tummy time, smoother arm and leg movements
6 Months	Rolls both ways, sits with/without support, pushes down on legs
9 Months	Crawls, sits well, pulls to stand
12 Months	Stands independently, cruises on furniture, may walk
18 Months	Walks, runs, climbs onto furniture independently

📌 Source: CDC Developmental Milestones

When Should You Be Concerned?

Every child is unique, but some signs may indicate your child could benefit from an evaluation by a pediatric physical therapist:

Not lifting head by 3–4 months
Difficulty sitting by 8 months
Not crawling by 10–11 months
Not walking by 18 months
Stiff or floppy muscle tone
Strong preference for one side of the body

✅ Early intervention is key. Research shows that therapy started early leads to better long-term physical and functional outcomes.
📖 Source: Spittle, A. et al., Pediatrics, 2015

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Can Help

Our licensed pediatric physical therapists specialize in helping children improve strength, coordination, balance, and movement skills. We treat children with:

Developmental delays
Prematurity-related delays
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Torticollis and plagiocephaly
Hypotonia or hypertonia (low or high muscle tone)

Therapy Focus Areas

Encouraging age-appropriate movement (rolling, crawling, walking)
Improving strength and posture
Promoting coordination and balance
Teaching safe, efficient movement patterns
Guiding parents with at-home strategies

Sessions are play-based, engaging, and individualized — because kids learn best when they’re having fun!

What You Can Do at Home

Support your child’s motor development with these simple, therapist-recommended activities:

Tummy time from birth to build strength
Floor play that encourages reaching, rolling, and crawling
Obstacle courses to promote climbing, stepping, and coordination
Limit time in containers like swings and jumpers
Let them go barefoot (safely!) to build balance and awareness
Get outside for natural exploration and movement challenges

Why Early Support Matters

Delays in motor skills can affect more than movement — they may also impact your child’s social skills, confidence, and independence. The earlier therapy begins, the more progress your child is likely to make.

👣 “Movement is the foundation for learning,” says Dr. Cheryl Sparks, DPT. “When kids move well, they play, explore, and grow in every area of development.”