Development Milestones

Rolling 101

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Newborns lead a pretty cushy life once they arrive home. But it’s not too long before your pediatrician tasks them with homework, their first important developmental skill: rolling.

Here’s the quick facts to know.

What is Rolling Over?

Rolling over is the developmental skill of flipping the entire body from one position (back or belly) to the other. It is the first major motor milestone and as parents, we are ecstatic when they do it for the first time.

However, before you can confidently say “My baby can roll”, your newborn should be able to:

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Child(ish) Q&A: When will my kid be fun?

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

We’ve gotten this question quite a few times this past year, specifically from new dads who are unsure about what to do or how to play with their newborn.

To be honest, this is an interesting question to answer. For one, the definition of “fun” is completely subjective. Second, most “fun” activities we’re asked about depend on developmental skills that babies won’t acquire for months or even years. For example, you may not be able to toss your baby into the air safely until they develop good head and neck control (3 months). A child can’t properly throw a ball until they have appropriate trunk and shoulder stability (12-18 months), or catch a ball until they have appropriate hand-eye coordination, motor planning, and body/spatial awareness (2-3 years).  

Perhaps a better question is:
How can I share similar interests with my baby?

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Defying Gravity: Tummy Time

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

As a new parent, you receive a lot of rules about how to take care of your new bundle of joy. But, one is a bit hard to implement once you get home: Tummy Time.

What is Tummy Time?

This cute, alliterative phrase refers to any time when your baby is on their belly while they are awake and active. This position allows them to lift and turn their head from side to side, and provides the foundational upper body and core strength/ stability needed for reaching and crawling. 

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Toys for Curbing Screen Time

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Finding toys for your kids can be challenging when you’re competing with a Smartphone or tablet. Here are some recommendations, based on age and development, that help with the challenge: 

Wooden Puzzle Shape Sorter

1-2 years

Children at this age are learning about their surroundings through exploration. Find toys that they can analyze and tinker with to promote cognitive, fine, and visual perceptual/motor development.

Wooden Puzzle Shape Sorter

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