What it means:
Helping kids build strength, balance, and coordination for large body movements — like crawling, walking, jumping, climbing, and running.

When it’s needed:
If your child is late to reach motor milestones or seems clumsy, unsteady, or has trouble keeping up with peers.

Major Milestone:
By 12–18 months, children should be walking independently or with minimal support.

Quick Tip:
Give your child lots of chances to move! Play on different surfaces like grass, sand, or foam mats to strengthen balance and coordination naturally.

What it means:
Helping kids maintain stability during sitting, standing, and moving activities, and improving how smoothly their body movements are controlled.

When it’s needed:
If your child often falls, struggles with climbing, jumping, or catching a ball, or seems to have difficulty with activities like riding a bike.

Major Milestone:
By 3–4 years old, children should be able to balance on one foot for a few seconds and coordinate movements like running and kicking a ball.

Quick Tip:
Try simple balance games like standing on one foot or walking along a line drawn on the ground to build balance in a fun way.

What it means:
Helping kids build the strength and stamina needed for everyday activities like playing, climbing stairs, or carrying objects.

When it’s needed:
If your child gets tired quickly during physical activities, struggles to keep up with other children, or has trouble with tasks like climbing stairs without using hands.

Major Milestone:
By 5 years old, children should be able to climb stairs alternating feet without needing to hold onto a handrail.

Quick Tip:
Incorporate playful strength activities like crawling races, animal walks, and obstacle courses to make strengthening fun!

What it means:
Helping kids develop good posture for sitting, standing, and moving — and correcting misalignments that could cause discomfort or limit movement.

When it’s needed:
If your child has very slouched posture, walks on toes often, stands with feet or knees turned oddly, or complains of aches or pains.

Major Milestone:
By 2–3 years old, children should walk with a heel-to-toe pattern (not mainly on their toes) and show a more mature standing posture.

Quick Tip:
Encourage lots of floor play, tummy time for babies, and sitting on small stools or chairs to support healthy posture.

What it means:
Helping babies who have tight neck muscles (torticollis) that cause a head tilt, or flat spots on the head (plagiocephaly) from staying in one position too much.

When it’s needed:
If your baby consistently looks one way, has trouble turning their head both directions, or has a flat spot on the back or side of their head.

Major Milestone:
By 4 months, babies should be able to turn their head freely to both sides and have strong, active tummy time skills.

Quick Tip:
Do lots of tummy time while your baby is awake and supervised! Vary their head position during sleep and play to encourage even development.

What it means:
Helping kids recover strength, movement, and flexibility after injuries (like fractures) or surgery — and managing conditions like scoliosis or joint hypermobility.

When it’s needed:
If your child has had an orthopedic injury, surgery, or shows unusual flexibility, pain, or posture changes.

Major Milestone:
Recovery milestones vary, but therapy should support a full return to typical movement and activity after healing.

Quick Tip:
Follow your PT’s home exercise plan closely — even just a few minutes daily can make a big difference in faster, safer recovery!

Neurological Conditions

What it means:
Helping kids with neurological diagnoses (like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, or genetic syndromes) improve movement, independence, and quality of life.

When it’s needed:
If your child has a diagnosis that impacts motor skills, balance, strength, or coordination.

Major Milestone:
Milestones will vary widely based on the child’s needs and condition, but therapy focuses on maximizing independence and participation at every age.

Quick Tip:
Celebrate every small win — progress might be slow sometimes, but every gain is a huge achievement for your child!

What it means:
Helping kids get the right equipment — like walkers, wheelchairs, braces, or orthotics — to support safe, independent movement.

When it’s needed:
If your child needs extra support to walk, stand, or move safely at home, school, or in the community.

Major Milestone:
The goal is always for equipment to enhance participation — not to limit it — and to encourage as much independence as possible at every stage.

Quick Tip:
Make mobility equipment a positive part of your child's life! Personalizing devices (stickers, colors) and celebrating "moving on their own" helps kids feel proud.