Physical therapy focuses on gross motor abilities. This includes crawling, walking, sitting, climbing, running, kicking, jumping, riding a tricycle, skipping, and balance. Physical therapy also includes exercises for strengthening weak muscles and for increasing the range of motion of muscles.
Physical therapy evaluations are conducted by a licensed Physical Therapist. Therapy is conducted by a Physical Therapist or a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant under the supervision of a Physical Therapist.
The following is a developmental checklist. It is a guideline of the average age when children acquire certain skills. Each child develops at his or her own pace, but if you have concerns about a child’s development, please call us. We can schedule an evaluation with a licensed professional in the area of concern, and we can determine whether the child is delayed or developing on schedule.
By 6 months your child should be able to:
- Get into a crawling position
- Bear some weight on legs when you hold both hands for balance
- Sit up
- Roll over one way
By 12 months your child should be able to:
- Walk holding onto furniture with only one hand
- Stand without holding onto anything
- Bend down, pick up a toy, then stand back up while holding onto furniture
By 18 months your child should be able to:
- Walk well without falling
- Climb onto furniture to reach something
- Bend over, pick up a toy, then stand up without holding onto anything
- Kick a ball
By 2 years your child should be able to:
- Walk down stairs while holding onto the railing or someone’s hand
- Run well without falling or bumping into something when she stops
- Jump with both feet leaving the floor at the same time
By 3 years your child should be able to:
- Ride a tricycle
- Stand on one foot for 2 seconds
- Walk up stairs with one foot on each step
- Jump forward at least 6 inches with both feet leaving the floor at the same time
By 4 years your child should be able to:
- Catch a large ball with both hands
- Climb a ladder on the playground and slide down without help
- Throw a ball overhand to a person at least 6 feet away
- Hop up and down on one foot without falling
By 5 years your child should be able to:
- Stand on one foot for at least 5 seconds without holding onto anything
- Walk on tiptoes for 15 feet (about the length of a car)
- Can skip
- Swing without help to get started
- Ride a bicycle with training wheels
Each child develops at his or her own pace, but if you have concerns about a child’s development, please call us. We can schedule an evaluation with a licensed professional in the area of concern, and we can determine whether the child is delayed or developing on schedule.
This information is compiled from the following source: Ages and Stages Questionnares- 3, Brooks Publishing Co.
