Knowing the timeline for development can help parents notice when their baby isn’t reaching age-appropriate milestones. If a child isn’t meeting their motor skill development milestones, such as lifting their head by four months of age, or sitting with good postural control within their first seven months, then asking a pediatrician about a referral for PT may be warranted. In this case, the earlier the better.
The first five years of a child’s life are a critical time for the development of motor skills. During this period, their brain is working hard to make new connections between neurons. Essentially, the skills and habits they build from birth to age three set a foundation for future development by strengthening neural pathways. Because of how the brain works in those early stages, PT can be a key aspect of early intervention that not only helps a child build motor skills but also supports their cognitive development as a whole.
To learn more about physical therapy, see this article.
