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Key Takeaways: 1. Early introduction & specialization of sports carries physical, psychological, social, and developmental risks. 2. There are reasons a child might start sports early or specialize in a sport. 3. Parents can help by ensuring there is a healthy balance for their child and by avoiding over-training and over-competitive environments. 

Key Takeaways: 1. Stretching helps improve recovery, prevent injury, and increase flexibility to enhance sport performance. 2. Stretching immediately after exercise is ideal as the muscles are warm and more easily lengthened. 3. Stretch for 5-8 minutes total after your workout. Pick 3-5 stretches and hold for 30-60 seconds for each side.

Key Takeaways: 1. There are 6 stages of play; from unoccupied play (0-3 months old) to cooperative play (4-6 years old). 2. Knowing these stages help set realistic expectations during play dates and on the playground. 3. Your child is always learning from being in social settings, regardless of their type of engagement. Social exposures are crucial for building confidence with peers in group settings.

Key Takeaways: 1. Tricycle — slow-paced and stable, great for cautious toddlers and a great tool for strengthening the legs. 2. Scooter — fantastic for coordination but requires monitoring for leg dominance and safety. 3. Balance bike — the most efficient path to future cycling success with strong balance benefits.

Key Takeaways: 1. Walkers can delay motor development and increase risk of persistent toe walking. 2. Walkers can be dangerous with high injury risk. 3. Walkers can limit exploration and learning.

Key Takeaways: 1. Occasional toe walking is important to build calf muscles for running & jumping, improve balance, and support foot arch development. 2. Toe walking is problematic if it is persistent, especially after 2 years old. 3. Talk to your pediatrician or pediatric physical therapist if you’re concerned about how often your child walks on their toes.

Key Takeaways: 1. Nursery rhymes are an important adjunct to play, especially when parents sing. 2. Songs teach lessons & skills such as self-care, speech sounds, and counting. 3. They can energize your baby to increase play or calm your baby to rest or focus. 

Key Takeaways: 1. The sensory system can be more or less responsive in different kids. Knowing your child’s sensory responses help you support their play more effectively. 2. Kids who avoid sensation (sensory avoiding) may become overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, or certain textures.  3. Kids who seek sensation (sensory seeking) may crave movement, loud noises, and touch.

Key Takeaways: 1. Tone is the natural resting tension of your muscles. It helps your body be ready to move and maintain posture. There is a spectrum of tone. 2. Low tone (hypotonia) is when the muscles are more “floppy." 3. High tone (hypertonia) is when the muscles are tighter or stiffer.

Key Takeaways: 1. Floor time includes tummy time, back time, and interactive play. 2. Floor time helps babies build their muscles, improve coordination, and build early social skills. 3. Aim for a few 5-10 minute sessions throughout the day.

Key Takeaways: 1. Preventing harm is essential, as is encouraging curiosity and growth. 2. Falling and failing are important parts of learning. 3. There are many preventable injuries that can impact your child in the long term if there is not enough supervision.

Key Takeaways: 1. Flat feet, bow legs, in-toeing, and toe walking are normal in the first 2 years. 2. If you notice asymmetries between right and left side, follow up with your child’s pediatrician and/or pediatric physical therapist. 3. If the postures persistent beyond 2 years, seek out a pediatrician and/or pediatric physical therapist consultation.

Key Takeaways: 1. Sitting balance exercises strengthen muscles and prepares babies for crawling. 2. Change the base of support, apply perturbations, or make their seat uneven to challenge your baby's balance. 3. Falls are common and important for learning, but should be made safe with supervision and soft surroundings.

Key Takeaways: 1. W Sitting gives toddlers a wide base of support making balance easier for play. 2. Persistent W Sitting can put a strain on the hips, knees, and ankles. 3. Variety in sitting postures is important.

Key Takeaways: 1. Barefoot is good! 2. Some studies show better foot and ankle alignment and movement with barefoot play. 3. Shoes may be necessary for outdoor hazards or for orthotic treatment in rare cases.

Key Takeaways: 1. Pediatric physical therapists will do more detailed examination for infants flagged with delays by their pediatricians. 2. Home exercises with caregivers are vital for success. 3. Many factors can cause delays and not all will have a lasting impact on your baby, especially with early intervention.

Key Takeaways: 1. Crawling is no longer a CDC milestone due to lack of research support. 2. The importance of early mobility, in whatever form it takes, has research support. 3. PT's theorize crawling is important for vision, coordination, and muscle development.

Key Takeaways: 1. Tummy time is crucial in the early months of development. 2. Tummy time prevents flat head syndrome. 3. Tummy time provides gas relief.

Explore 5 creative ways to modify tummy time to make it more enjoyable and effective for your baby. From using props to changing positions, these tips help promote comfort, engagement, and fun in tummy time.