If you’ve ever spent time with a toddler, you’ll know that sitting still generally isn’t very high on their agenda!
The toddler years can bring huge changes in how children move. They may be learning to walk, becoming steadier on their feet or suddenly discovering that the furniture is much more fun when you climb on it.
With so much happening physically, it can also be a time when parents start to have questions about the way their child is moving. That’s where paediatric physiotherapy can help.
Why might a toddler see a physiotherapist?
There are lots of reasons families bring their toddlers to Therapy Stars.
Some children will already have a diagnosed condition and physiotherapy forms part of their ongoing support. Others may have seen a physiotherapist as a baby and continue working with us as they get older.
Sometimes it starts with something a parent has noticed. Perhaps your toddler isn’t yet walking and you’d like some advice, or you’ve noticed something about the way they move that you’d like someone to take a closer look at.
You don’t need to work out what it means before you contact us. If something has made you wonder whether your toddler could benefit from some extra support, we can start with a conversation.
What does toddler physiotherapy look like?
Toddlers aren’t generally known for following a carefully planned agenda, so our physiotherapists need to be pretty good at adapting!
We’ll have an idea of what we’d like to work on during a session, but your toddler probably won’t realise they’re doing physiotherapy. We might use a favourite toy to encourage a particular movement, or come up with a game that gives them a reason to practise something without repeatedly asking them to do it.
There’s plenty of clinical thinking behind those choices. Our physios are watching how your child moves and choosing activities that help them work towards their individual goals.
Sometimes the best physio sessions are the ones where everyone is having a really good time.
Building movement into everyday life
Physiotherapy doesn’t only happen during the time your child spends with us.
Toddlers already have plenty of opportunities to move during an ordinary day, and we can help you make the most of them without making home feel like another appointment.
Your physiotherapist might suggest small changes to an activity your toddler already enjoys or show you ways to practise a particular movement as part of your usual routine. What’s appropriate will depend on what your toddler is currently working towards, and we want anything we suggest to feel realistic for family life too.
Supporting your toddler as they grow
The toddler years can move quickly, and the things we work on in physiotherapy can change as your child develops.
We’ll keep reviewing how they’re getting on and adapt their sessions as their abilities develop. The focus is always on what will be most useful for them at that particular stage.
You also don’t need to be certain that your toddler needs physiotherapy before getting in touch. Sometimes parents simply want to talk through something they’ve noticed and find out whether it’s worth exploring further.
If you have a question about your toddler’s movement or physical development, get in touch with Therapy Stars or book a complimentary phone call with our team. We’ll be happy to chat through what you’ve noticed and help you decide on the next step.
