What will pediatric physical therapy sessions be like?
Pediatric physical therapy sessions are different than you may have experienced as an adult. With children, although we are also working on strength, endurance and balance, the exercises and activities are done in a “play-centered” fashion. This means that although it appears we are “just” playing with the infant, we are actually using the child’s own motivation to explore toys and the environment to encourage the movement patterns and strengthening activities that will ultimately allow us to reach our goals. Pediatric physical therapists use the child’s natural desire to learn, explore, move and interact to teach them new skills, assist with achieving new developmental levels, and improve motor learning, physical strength and endurance. Overall, sessions have some aspect of fun involved for the child so they will be motivated to move and learn.
