Another school year is right around the corner, and as parents we always want to make sure that our kids are prepared for the physical and mental tasks that a new school year brings. Sometimes it’s easier to notice when our children are falling behind their classmates when it comes to academic topics like reading or math, but there are also some physical signs that suggest they may be lagging behind their peers with growth and development milestones.
It’s very common for children to be a little behind their peers when it comes to physical development and aspects like balance and coordination, but you don’t need to just sit back and hope that they catch up organically. Oftentimes kids can quickly close this gap and even surpass their peers with a little help in the form of physical therapy. In today’s blog, we share some tips that suggest your school-aged child may benefit from physical therapy.
Helping Your Child Hit Developmental Milestones
We all want our kids to keep pace with others in terms of physical and mental development, and while you may be able to help them with homework, hire a tutor or spend extra time reading with them at night, some parents feel like there’s nothing they can do to help their child when they are falling behind physically. Fortunately, that sentiment is incorrect. There are a number of ways that you can help your child improve things like strength, flexibility, coordination and balance, and this process usually begins with physical therapy.
But how can you tell that your child may be falling behind their peers and could stand to benefit from physical therapy? Here are some of the physical signs that suggest PT could be helpful for your school-aged child:
- Your child prefers to sit on the playground or at recess instead of moving and actively playing with others.
- Your child slouches or regularly rests their arms and head at the table or at their desk.
- Your child has a tough time keeping up with other kids during physical activities or at the playground.
- You notice that your child seems to have an uneven or irregular gait.
- Your child mentions that they are in pain or uncomfortable, especially if there is no obvious sign of an injury.
- Your child trips frequently (all children are a bit clumsy, but regular tripping is unusual).
Now, it’s important to realize that all of the above signs can describe a child at some point in their life. Perhaps they had a bad night of sleep, or they simply prefer playing a board game to swinging on a swing. Infrequent instances of the above signs can be normal, but if your child chronically exhibits a number of the above characteristics, consider having them connect with a physical therapist.
One of the best things about pediatric physical therapy, especially for developmental delays, is that therapy rarely feels like therapy. Our PTs are constantly incorporating games into sessions or simply allowing your child to help guide the physical activity program so that they have fun and stay engaged, all while becoming stronger, faster or more coordinated. We can help them overcome these developmental delays so that it’s easier for them to keep up with their peers at a crucial time in their life.
To learn more about pediatric PT programs for developmental delays, or for help with a different physical issue, give the team at OrthoRehab Specialists a call today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
- How To Prevent Injury Aggravation When Returning To Sports - November 20, 2024
- 5 Things You Should Do For Your Health Before The New Year - November 18, 2024
- Doing Your PT Exercises At Home – Keys To Success - November 13, 2024
