Physical Therapy Weekly Update
May 11th - May 15th
Hi Again,
We hope that the beginning of May has treated you well. Hopefully the weather continues to get nicer, and you and your family can get outside to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and work in some activity together - even just a walk can be re-invigorating, and so important for not only your physical, but also emotional health.
We hope that you are finding our information useful and that you are able to work in some gross motor practice each week. Just a quick reminder that we are offering Zoom "office hours" a few times a week if you have questions or just want to chat briefly. Refer to the end of this newsletter to see our Zoom links.
As always, if you have specific questions regarding your child, or your program, contact us at any time by email or join our office hours. We are here for you!
Amanda Peters, PT apeters@caiu.org and Sue Drda, PT sdrda@caiu.org.
Take care and be well,
Ms. Amanda and Ms. Sue
Check out our physical therapy website for more information!
Gross Motor Skill of the Week: Half Kneel To Stand
Half Kneel to Stand
Did you ever watch how children stand up from the floor? Just like many other gross motor
skills, there is a developmental progression for how children move from sitting on the floor to
standing.
- First, children typically move to stand by pulling up on a person or furniture.
- Next, they learn to stand up by squatting with both hands on the floor for support.
- Finally, as they get stronger, they stand up using only their leg muscles. They do this by moving into a tall kneeling position (kneeling with hips extended and toes pointed), bringing one leg forward into a half-kneeling position, leaning forward, and standing up without needing to use their arms.
Practice this, with both feet forward, 5 times on each leg, several times a week. If you can do it daily, that is even better, and it will help to improve their strength and function.
Exercise of the Week: Sit To Stand
Not only is this a functional skill to have, this is also a great exercise to work on leg strengthening and standing balance. In general, the lower the surface, the more strength it takes. Have your child try it from a chair, and then maybe a lower step stool, or from the bottom step of your staircase!
Repeat 10 of these daily (or more!)
Check out these videos below for some ideas and tips and tricks!
Position of The Week - Sidelying
Side Lying Play
Supported Sidelying
Encourage reaching forward in front to different angles, or up off of the ground for a motivating item or activity (books, toys, puzzles, coloring, or blocks).
Try to maintain for 5 minutes at a time while playing or engaging in an activity. Make sure to spend time on both sides!
Sidelying Elbow Prop
Rolling
Rolling with assistance:
Encourage your child to roll from their back to their belly and back again. They may need help to start the movement. You can assist by crossing one leg over to turn their hips – see if they can bring their arm over to complete the movement. Going back they might need help to put one arm up overhead or tucked by their side to rotate towards their back – see if they can bring their legs over to return to their back.
Let's Get Moving!
Enjoy some of these movement videos to work on flexibility and strength - all while having fun!
Ms. Amanda Peters, DPT, Certified MDT
Email: apeters@caiu.org
Ms. Peters' Remote Office Hours
Mondays 4:00-5:00 pm
https://zoom.us/j/780713201?pwd=amJWK04xczVaWmxyZ1lGa2ZPa3g3Zz09
Meeting ID: 780 713 201
Password: 1234
Thursdays 12:00-1:00 pm
https://zoom.us/j/355905094?pwd=ZGRmbU5LTXgydmI3bmg2NjhiV25udz09
Meeting ID: 355 905 094
Password: 1234
Fridays 10:00-11:00 am
https://zoom.us/j/380679458?pwd=QTQ2T2s3ejB3N2ZaL2dJdHVnNndvUT09
Meeting ID: 380 679 458
Password: 1234
Ms. Suzanne Drda, PT, DPT
Email: sdrda@caiu.org
Ms. Drda's Remote Office Hours
Mondays 10:00-11:00 am
https://zoom.us/j/712202227?pwd=T1lsaG5GWm1mc1doZUFsc005TGtrUT09
Meeting ID: 712 202 227
Password: 1234
Tuesdays 12:00-1:00 pm
https://zoom.us/j/910722618?pwd=MGxrcytsaXVnV21iaCtNWVlnQ3M5Zz09
Meeting ID: 910 722 618
Password: 1234
Thursdays 4:00-5:00 pm
https://zoom.us/j/620104090?pwd=TFF4ZzVaS2J3TzFMZUErUnNQRU5Udz09
Meeting ID: 620 104 090
Password: 1234