• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • About
  • Therapists
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Facility
  • Social Stories
  • Payments
  • Forms
  • Employment
  • Contact
StoreySmith Pediatric Clinic

StoreySmith Pediatric Clinic

SSPC Maine

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech & Language
  • Summer Groups

Falmouth, Maine • 207-781-0022

Does My Child Need PT?

If your child is experiencing 3 or more problems on the checklist, physical therapy intervention may be helpful.

Infant & Toddler

Gross motor skills newborn to 14 months:

  • 1-2 months: Baby will bend and straighten legs alternately or together
  • 2-3 months: While on their tummy, the baby will hold their head up at a 45 degree angle between their chin and chest
  • 4.5-6 months: Baby will sit with arm support with their arms in front of them
  • 5.5-9 months: Rolling from tummy to/from back to both right and left sides independently
  • 6-8 months: Independent sitting without arm or trunk support
  • 7-9 months: Kneeling on hands and knees (quadruped position)
  • 9-10 months: Pulling to stand at a surface supported with arms.
  • 8-13 months: Creeping on hands and knees with belly off the ground
  • 9-13 months: Cruising along a surface
  • 10.5-13 months: Independent standing
  • 12-14 months: Independent walking

12–15 Months

  • Hold something out for you to take (they won’t always let go)
  • Walk with one or both hands held, or walk alone without support
  • Rock to rhythm while standing alone
  • Stoop to pick up things on the floor

15–18 Months

  • Throw a ball while sitting or standing
  • Explore their world by climbing to things out of reach
  • May start potty training (don’t rush—go at the child’s own pace)

18–21 Months

  • Walk up stairs, holding an adult’s hand (or a railing)
  • Climb and stand on a chair
  • Roll a ball

21–24 Months

  • Walk with more direction to their movements and remember familiar places as well as things that happened at those places
  • Kick a ball forward without losing balance
  • Walk up and down stairs alone (while holding on to a railing)
  • Jump and stand on tiptoes
  • Enjoy music and begin to develop a sense of rhythm

2–3 Years

  • Walk between two straight lines
  • Jump or walk backward
  • Pedal a tricycle
  • Run without falling
  • Play on swings, ladders and other playground equipment with a fair amount of ease
  • Jump about 8 inches from a standing position (broad jump)
  • Use the toilet without help

Preschool (3-5 years)

preschooler

  • Has low muscle tone; seems weak or floppy; difficulty sitting upright at circle
  • Bumps into furniture or people, has trouble with body awareness or judging space around him/her
  • Does not enjoy jumping, swings or having feet off of the ground
  • Appears clumsy, falls frequently, poor balance
  • Avoids playground activities; seems fearful or coming up or down the stairs
  • Needs more practice than other children to learn new skills
  • Has high muscle tone; muscles seem stiff
  • Has difficulty walking up and down stairs
  • Seems to have less endurance than peers

School Age

  • Tends to be clumsier than other children (trips, falls, bumps into people or things, injury prone)
  • Has low muscle tone; tends to lean on arms or slumps at desk
  • Has difficulty jumping, swinging or climbing
  • Has difficulty with motor activities that involve coordinating both sides of the body together (shoe tying, swimming, bicycle riding)
  • Avoids physical education class, sports or playground activities
  • Struggles with motor tasks the have several steps
  • Movements seem slow and labored; endurance is less than same-aged peers

Copyright © 2023 StoreySmith Pediatric Clinic · Website Design & Maintenance By DesignMe Creative Group · Log in