There are many reasons why a child might need pediatric therapy. In some cases, pediatric therapy can help them manage neurological or motor disorders, such as cerebral palsy. In other cases, a child might need pediatric therapy after an orthopedic injury. But no matter the reason, Libre Physical Therapy always takes a play-based approach to our pediatric physical therapy sessions!
Physical therapy for adults generally focuses on targeted exercises and other therapeutic treatments. It’s not really a doctor’s visit, but it is a healthcare space.
Pediatric physical therapy is different. While we absolutely incorporate exercise and movement into our sessions, we strive to make the experience as little like a doctor’s appointment as possible. In fact, our primary goal is for your child to play and have fun.
Why? Because play is how kids learn. By integrating games into your child’s pediatric physical therapy sessions, we’re mimicking their natural motor development.
But what exactly does playful pediatric therapy look like? Keep reading for insight into what you and your child can expect at their sessions–or call our Homestead, FL, and Kendall, FL clinics for more personalized guidance!
How We Ensure Playful Pediatric Physical Therapy Sessions
We begin with your child: What brings them to pediatric therapy in the first place? How old are they? What are their interests? These questions help us determine a therapeutic program to meet their unique needs.
For example, children under two years old generally play alone. As they get older, their play begins to incorporate the world around them: first by observing others at play, then playing alongside them, and then finally playing with others. For most children, this cooperative play stage begins at around four years of age.
Our goal at Libre Physical Therapy is to create a play environment appropriate for all age levels. Sessions will take place in a bright room filled with toys, and we’ll encourage your child to explore the space independently, just as they would in any other environment.
As your child finds something that appeals to them–such as a toy or particular activity–we’ll use that as the foundation for their treatment. We’ll gently incorporate play-based games and other activities focused on improving their specific areas of impairment. While we don’t want to push them, we will incrementally increase the difficulty as they improve.
Examples of Playful Pediatric Therapy Activities
We offer a wide range of different toys to get children moving and playing. Here are just some of what we have available:
- Dolls and action figures
- Stuffed animals
- Floor gyms, stacking rings, and nesting cups
- Musical instruments
- Tricycles
- Balls
- Board games
- Art supplies
- Electronic games
- Obstacle courses
While the play space may look chaotic to an adult, to a kid, it looks like a great time! And to a pediatric physical therapist, the play space is a space to guide your child toward specific development milestones and help them improve their overall movement and function.
If you’d like to visit Libre Physical Therapy’s clinic or learn how play-based pediatric physical therapy sessions can help your child, request an appointment today.
