Travel Toys for Vacations with Kids by Trisha Roberts

Summer Vacation is almost here!  

Have you started your Vacation

 Countdown?! 

by Trisha Roberts

Many families will soon be hitting the road for recreation and leisure. As I discussed in my blog article, “Road Trip with Kids—‘Oh, No!’ or ‘I’ve Got this’” on March 13, 2016, Traveling with children can be a challenge. This week I’d like to feature several Travel Toys from our retail site, www.proeducationaltoys.com that will make your Vacation Days even better!  Remember that time in the car is part of the Vacation--make it count! 

Make Your Road Trip with Kids Great This Year!

Vacation Essentials include packing the right toys!  Unique Travel Toys can make the difference between Terror and Tranquility on your Road Trip with Kids!  Many parents fall into the trap of lulling their children into silence by playing an endless cycle of videos in the car.  I’m not saying that videos should never be used, but there are so many other things that can be used for entertainment and promote learning at the same time. 

I highly recommend our Travel Toys Surprise Packs for Girls and Boys. 

Travel Surprise Package--Girl

Vacation Surprise Package--Boy

Each package contains 8 wrapped toys or activities appropriate for play in a vehicle. I personally have used these with my children and found them to be invaluable!  Each child was allowed to choose and open one gift every hour of the trip.  They loved opening the surprise gift and then playing with it for the next hour.  I added a few extras to the Travel Package, like a juice box, animal crackers or package of gum, to stave off hunger and add variety.







I LOVE the fact that the Vacation Surprise Packages are pre-wrapped!  All the work is done! (And who needs more work preparing for Vacation?!?)  The package comes ready to throw in the car!  Mom Scores!  Kids are Happy!  Kids are Learning and Playing!

 

Another of our great Travel Toys is our line of Read Along Books. 

A Great Way to Stimulate a Love for Reading!

Lion King Read Along Book

These are wonderful Reading Tools for Kids that educate and entertain.  Children follow along word for word in each book to familiar stories as they are narrated and accompanied by sound effects and songs.  Your child is prompted to turn the page at the sound of the Chime. These are Great Language Toys that stimulate an interest in reading for young children and improve the reading skills of older children.

Read Along Books are a phenomenal way to encourage a love for 

books and reading!

Portable CD Player

Volume-Limiting Headphones

We also offer an affordable, portable CD Player and several different styles of  volume-limiting headphones specifically designed for children.

Have a Great Summer Vacation! 

Make it a Vacation to Remember! 

Please comment and leave tips on how YOU make your Vacation Special for Kids!

Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Common Questions Regarding Walking by Trisha Robers

Question:  When should my baby start walking?

Answer:  The average age for walking is 11-13 months.  If your baby is older than 15 months and shows NO desire to stand, cruise (walk holding furniture), or walk with their hands held, you should talk with your child’s Pediatrician and ask for a referral to an Early Intervention Physical Therapist (one who specializes in working with children from birth to 3 years old).

 

Most Babies Walk before 14 Months

Question:  Should I start my baby walking barefoot or with shoes?

Barefoot Part of the Time

Shoes Part of the Time

Answer:  There are varying opinions on whether children should start walking barefoot or with shoes. Some therapists and experts say, “Barefoot all the time!”  I prefer to have children walk half the time with shoes and half without.  Walking barefoot gives more sensory input to the child and helps develop the small, intrinsic muscles of the foot as well as balance and coordination.  But we are a society that wears shoes!  A child needs to learn to walk with shoes!  I have had children start walking in the spring and their mothers have kept them barefoot all spring and summer long; when colder weather set in, it was a MAJOR BATTLE getting shoes on those children!  (Honestly, would you wear shoes if you didn’t have to?  I know that I wouldn’t!)

Question:  Does my baby need special walking shoes?

Answer:  No. A shoe needs to fit well so that the foot does not slide around.  I prefer shoes with laces, if you can find them in your child's size.  Laces allow you to snug the shoe tightly to your child's feet.  They are also less likely to be able to take them off in comparison to shoes with Velcro fasteners.  I prefer a normal, new tennis shoe—not high tops, not hard-bottomed shoes, not cloth-bottomed shoes, not used shoes, not shoes with a heel, and not sandals, Flip Flops, or Crocs.

Shoes Need to Fit Well

Not high tops because they give too much support and don’t allow the baby to develop good ankle control. (If your baby has very low muscle tone, her therapist may want to use high tops; this should be discussed with the therapist.)

Not hard-bottomed shoes because they are too rigid and are frequently made of a slippery surface that does give the baby a good grip on the floor.

Not cloth-bottomed shoes because they are really glorified socks and do not adequately serve as shoes; they can cause your baby to slip and fall, as they do not have tread on the soles.  They also tend to fit very loosely and slip off the foot when a baby tries to take steps. They are very cute and are great for young babies who are not yet getting to standing.  Once a baby is starting to stand, they should be put in a tennis shoe or other rubber-soled shoe.

Never put a baby or young child in a used shoe!  Each of us has a unique walking pattern that causes our shoes to wear in a particular pattern.  If you put a child in a pair of shoes that have been shaped and worn by another child, you are forcing your child’s feet to conform to the pattern of the previous owner.  One does not need to ‘break the bank’ and buy expensive shoes, but they should be new or previously unworn shoes.

Not Flip Flops, Sandals, or Crocs because they do not give enough support to the foot.  The heel is allowed to slide around too much on the shoe and leads to instability.  (For women reading this Blog—think about the first time you wore Stilettos or other High Heels!)  At five years old, after a child has been walking for several years, is an appropriate time to start using sandals or Flip Flops.

Question:  Is using a Push Toy or Walk Behind toy a good way to teach walking to my baby?

Answer:  Using a Walk Behind Toy or Push Toy can be useful in teaching a baby to walk, but selecting a good Push Toy is extremely important!  A Push Toy should have a wide base of support and be of sturdy construction.  The baby should be able to easily stand between the supporting arms of the Walk Behind Toy and take steps without hitting into any of the pieces of the toy. 

Baby Walk Behind Push Toys Can Be Helpful If Used Correctly

 An adult should position the child behind the Walk and Roll Toy and place their hands firmly on the handle of the toy; a child will want to pull themselves to standing using the toy, which could result in the toy toppling onto them and the child falling.  When a child first starts walking behind a Push Toy, the tendency is to lean against the toy for support; this can lead to the toy moving forward so rapidly that the child can’t take steps quickly enough to keep up with the forward motion of the Push Toy and the child winds up falling. Most children will have success if a parent provides hand-over-hand assistance to keep the child’s hands on the toy and moving at a slow pace; the child will develop the ability to control the Walk Behind Toy independently with a little practice.  If the Push Toy is very light-weight it can sometimes be made more stable by affixing weights to the body of the toy or putting heavy items inside a storage compartment, if the toy has one.   Your child should have constant supervision with a Walk Behind Toy until your baby demonstrates the ability to use the toy properly.  Check out our great Kids Push Toy Here.

Question:  Should I use a walker with my baby?

Answer:  Absolutely NOT!  There are many incidents recorded of children toppling out of walkers and injuring themselves.  But, from a Physical Therapist’s point of view, the bigger concern is that using a walker can lead to the development of poor walking patterns.  First off, many parents and daycares put children in walkers long before they are ready to walk and when they should actually be on the floor learning to crawl!  Walker use often goes hand-in-hand with poor or absent crawling skills! (See our blog regarding the importance of crawling!)  Many children are placed in walkers at 4-5 months of age when they do not have good trunk control and depend on the walker for support while taking weight through their legs in a crouched standing position.  Children are using an abnormal posture to stand and will frequently  stiffen their legs (extension) and rise up on their toes in order to reach the floor; this can lead to toe walking, poor hip development, and other ambulation issues.

Question:  My baby walks with their legs apart.  My baby walks with their feet turned in. My baby walks with their feet turned out. My baby walks bow-legged. My baby walks pigeon-toed.  My baby walks flat-footed, etc.  Is this normal?

Answer:  When a baby begins walking it is usually with a wide base of support (legs apart) in order to give themselves more stability.  They begin walking with their feet flat and arms held up for balance (“high guard” position).  As they gain confidence and control, they will start to narrow their base of support and walk with their feet in line with their hips and knees. After several months of walking they will develop reciprocal arm swing and a normal heel-toe gait pattern.  If your baby has been walking several months and does not seem to be developing a more mature gait pattern or you are still concerned about your baby's feet or legs, you should have a discussion with your Pediatrician. 

Question:  My baby walks on her toes?  Is this normal?

Answer: When a baby begins walking they should walk with their feet flat.  As mentioned above, after several months of walking your baby will begin to develop a normal walking pattern of hitting the floor first with the heel of their foot (Heel Strike), moving to a position of the entire foot in contact with the floor (Foot Flat Phase) and then pushing off with their toes (Push Off Phase of Gait).  It is not normal to walk consistently on tip toes. 

Up on Tip Toes

Children generally develop the ability to walk on tip toes at about 3 years old, but they should always be able to get their feet flat on the floor at any age and should never be using Tip Toe walking as their primary method of locomotion. Walking consistently on tip toes can be an indication of a more serious problem and should be discussed with your Pediatrician.



Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

How Can I Get My Baby to Stand and Walk? by Trisha Roberts

There are few things more exciting for a parent than seeing their baby take their first steps! (Well, maybe sleeping through the night......!)  When should a child start walking?  Most babies start pulling to standing between 10 and 12 months and most children take their first steps before 14 months.  If your child is over 15 months and shows NO interest in standing, you may want to talk to your Pediatrician and possibly ask for a referral to your state’s Early Intervention Program for further evaluation.

Progression to Walking:

• Standing with support (parents holding both hands) or standing holding onto furniture
• Cruising sideways along furniture
• Cruising forward facing with one hand on furniture
• Cruising between stable objects or furniture
• Walking with 2 hands held
• Walking with 1 hand held
• Standing alone
• Independent Steps

When babies start crawling they begin exploring and looking up to see what is within reach. If something tempting is above their eye level, they will try to reach the "treasure" by pulling up to standing.

Secure all Stairways 

Dangling Cords and Unstable Furniture

This is why it is crucial to baby proof your home before your baby starts crawling and walking!  Any dangling cords should be tucked out of reach or bundled.  Any shelf or piece of furniture that is not stable should be secured to the wall, as a new crawler will try to pull themselves to standing and the unstable furniture could topple on their head. All stairs should be gated securely and checked frequently to insure that the gate can’t be easily shifted.  

Getting to Standing at the Couch

Half Kneel to Standing

A great place to learn to pull to standing and begin cruising (walking along furniture) is at the sofa or couch.  Get down on the floor near your baby and the couch, and get their attention with a toy.  Place the toy a few feet away and have them start crawling toward the toy. (Some Motivating Toys can be found on our Website--Click Here.)  When they reach the toy, give them a minute to play and then gentle remove the toy and place it on the couch.  Encourage your baby to crawl near the couch; if they do not reach up or get themselves into ½ kneel position (one foot on the floor with knee bent, other knee on the floor), them help them to get to this position.

From Floor to Furniture

 If they do not pull themselves up to standing, give a little lift under their bottoms to assist.  Let them play in standing at the couch with the toy.  Show them how they can get down from standing “bottom first” by bending at the waist

Sitting Down from Standing

 and bringing their head forward and doing a controlled landing on their plump, diapered behind. Repeat the process of getting to standing through ½ kneeling and sitting down again until they are able to do it smoothly on their own.

Once your child is able to pull to standing and sit down, they are ready for cruising. Encourage them to get to standing with their favorite toy on the couch, then start to shift to toy to the right or left; if they do not make a sideways step to get to the toy, assist them to do so by sliding their foot.

Let them bring the second foot over to meet the first.  Let them play with the toy and then move the toy slightly to the side again, encouraging the sideways stepping or cruising.  Once they reach the end of the couch, start moving the toy to the opposite side to cruise to the other end of the couch.

 Babies usually cruise sideways with both hands on the couch. 

Cruising Sideways on the Couch

Cruising Forward Facing with 1 Hand on Furniture

When they are almost ready to walk, they will frequently drop one hand and start to walk with their body pointed in the direction they are walking, taking forward steps rather than sideways steps, holding onto the couch or other furniture with just one hand.

At this stage you might place a stable chair or coffee table 10 inches from the couch and put their favorite toy on that new piece of furniture.  Encourage the baby to reach toward the toy, grasping onto the new chair.

Cruising Between Stable Objects

Soon the child will be moving confidently between both pieces of furniture and you can slowly inch the furniture further away to increase the distance they need to walk. This is called cruising between stable objects.

Most babies are able to walk behind a Baby Push Walker at this stage.  Make sure the Push Toy is stable with a wide base. (Check out our Baby Push Walker--Click Here!)

Baby Walking Behind a Stable Push Toy

Walk next to your baby with your hand guiding and controlling the Walk Behind Toy until your baby demonstrates that they are able to control the toy.

When the baby is moving well between stable furniture, they are ready to walk with 1 or 2 hands held.

Walking with 2 Hands Held

Baby Walking with Parents, 2 Hands Held

Baby Walking with 1 Hand Held

If you can get them to grasp just your finger instead of your whole hand, it makes releasing them a bit easier.  As a therapist, I prefer to aid walking by controlling a child at their shoulders.  I stand behind the child and have a parent call to them from several feet away.

Using Shoulder Control to Assist 

Walking with Shoulder Control

I give the minimal amount of assistance necessary for the child to walk toward dad or mom by holding the top of the child’s shoulders. I can give more or less assistance as needed until the child is able to take those first steps alone. By holding the baby's shoulders or tops of their sleeves, I am in control and can release the child when they demonstrate that they are stable and moving on their own.

Walking from Dad to Mom

There is rarely anything more motivating than Mom and Dad.  When your baby is showing all the abilities above, they are ready to take those first steps.  Have baby stand with their back against Daddy.  Position Mommy 3-4 feet away and call to baby.

Walking Between Parents

First Steps to Mom

She should take those first wobbly steps toward Mom.  Praise her and don't make a big deal when she falls--it's all part of the learning process!  

Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Watch for our next blog, 

“CommonQuestions Regarding Walking”

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Child Development: Red Flags by Trisha Roberts

Red Flags: An Early Intervention Guide

by Trisha Roberts

Is my Baby delayed?  Does my Baby have a problem? These are questions parents frequently ask in relation to their newborn, baby, or toddler.  This is an article compiling some of the “Red Flags” that indicate that there MIGHT be a problem.  “Red Flags” are warning signs that there may be delays in development or something more serious that warrants further investigation. Red Flags are a signal to parents and care providers that they should initiate a discussion with their pediatrician.  Multiple Red Flags are a strong indicator of a potential problem and should signal parents and physicians to seek an evaluation by an Early Intervention Therapist or Team of Evaluators specializing in child development.

General Red Flags

Signs of stress- especially frequent or “interfering” changes in vitals (Heart Rate Fluctuations, Baby seems to struggle to breathe, difficulty regulating temperature, etc.), color changes, frequent yawning, finger splaying, excessive hiccups or gas

Poor head control after 3 months

Arching of back

Stiffening of legs

Floppy or limp body posture

Head consistently turned or tilted to one side

Unusual shape to head

Loss of Language Skills at any age

Unequal movements one side of the body compared to the other side of the body

Consistently ignores one side of the body

Poor visual tracking when head is supported

No leg kicking when on back

No hand on body exploration when on back

Poor sucking at breast or bottle

Doesn’t startle at loud sounds

Doesn’t turn head to Mom’s voice

“Scissoring” or continual Crossing of legs          

A child is displaying a Developmental Delay if there is a failure to reach milestones appropriate for their age. Children develop at their own rate, but there are normative charts for the average time frame for major developmental achievements.  If a child is significantly outside of the normal range, it is considered a Red Flag.  The following are Red Flags by Age.  NOTE:  If a Child was born prematurely, they will most likely be slower in acquiring their developmental milestones of early childhood, but the progression should follow the normal sequence, not necessarily the timing and age range.

Red Flags By Age  

        

Red Flags of Child Development by Age

      Red Flags 3 Months

Crosses eyes most of the time

Doesn’t seem to focus on Mom’s face

Baby doesn’t “track” a toy (follow a toy with his eyes from mid-line to right and left)

Doesn’t hold a toy if placed in their hand

Doesn’t smile at father or mother

Red Flags 6 Months

One or both eyes turn out all the time

Baby doesn’t reach for a grasp a toy when held out front

Reaches with only one side

Does not bring toys or hands to mouth

Red Flags 9 Months

No rolling

Only using one arm

Poor midline orientation of head and hands

No attempt to pull self to sitting when hands are held

Cannot prop sit and falls over and can’t catch themselves

Only gets out of sitting throwing body backward

Does not bear weight through legs when supported in standing

Seems to drag one side when crawling on belly or on hands and knees

Shows no enjoyment in being around people: doesn’t squeal or laugh, doesn’t like to cuddle, has no interest in games like “Peek-a-Boo”, etc.

Red Flags 12 Months

Does not move out of prone when placed there

No Babbling

Doesn’t respond to their name

Cannot get in or out of sitting position

Does not have some form of locomotion- scooting, belly crawl, creeping

Multiple Ear Infections

Baby isn’t reaching, pointing, or waving

Doesn’t point to objects or pictures

Doesn’t look for an object that is dropped or covered up

Only uses one hand for grasping and playing

Doesn’t take food off a spoon

Unable to pass a toy or object from one hand to the other

Red Flags 15 Months

Unable to stand briefly, if placed

Does not have a single word that they use consistently (mama, dada, no)

Not pulling to standing

Not Cruising

Consistently walks on toes

Not picking up and eating finger foods

Red Flags 18 Months

Not Walking

Unable to get to standing from the middle of the floor

If child has been walking for at least 6 months, should be able to squat and return to standing

Only plays with one toy

Red Flags 2 Years

Unable to squat to stand

Does not have stair mobility

No running

Doesn’t scribble
Trouble with “playground skills:” unable to climb a ladder, seat self and slide; unable to step over playground boundaries,
Falls on uneven surfaces consistently

Unsteady gait

Unable to jump down from a stable object

Doesn’t follow simple instructions

Doesn’t point to body parts (“Where is your nose?” “Where is your belly button?”)

Isn’t using 2-word combinations

Doesn’t imitate simple actions or gestures

Doesn’t know the function of common objects like a comb or glass (“What is this used for?”)

Unable to take off socks or hat

Red Flags 3 Years

Unable to get on/off Riding toy

Unable to produce movement on a Riding Toy

Unable to jump in place or jump forward

Unable to build a tower of 6 or more blocks

Doesn’t or try to imitate drawing a circle or horizontal line

Eats with a spoon and very little spilling

Unable to undress independently

Red Flags 5 Years

Is not talking in sentences and can’t be easily understood by strangers

Isn’t able to tell a simple story

Unable to gallop

Unable to skip
Fearful of playground equipment

Unable to hold a crayon correctly

Can’t draw a circle or square

What Should I do if my child is displaying Red Flags of Development?

Early intervention in the form of Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy can dramatically improve a child’s development.  The sooner treatment starts, the better the prognosis and outcome--The “Let’s Wait and See” is not the best approach. If a parent is concerned and has noted several Red Flags, they should seek an evaluation of their child by a physician or Early Intervention Therapist.

Therapy with an infant, baby or young child can significantly improve that child's overall function and development.  Early Intervention Therapists will use unique toys and activities that will engage your child in play and promote development. Your therapist will give you exercises, activities,  and suggestions to help you help your child at home, at school, and in the community.  Regardless of the cause or severity of a problem, our Goal as Early Intervention Therapists is to maximize the potential of each child!

The Website associated with this Blog, Proeducationaltoys.com has a wealth of excellent toys that can be helpful in advancing the skills of your child whatever their age or problem.  Click Here to visit Proeducationaltoys.com

Toys are Used in Therapy to Promote Skills

Children Learn Through Play

Therapists will Give Suggestions for Unique Toys and Activities to Help Advance Your Child's Development!

Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Torticollis by Trisha Roberts

    Torticollis Definition:  What is it?  

Right Torticollis

Torticollis is a condition that occurs in the muscles of  the neck. Torticollis refers to a shortened or tight Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle that causes, in laymen's terms, a twisted or, ‘wry’ neck.  The Sternocleidomastoid is a major muscle on both sides of  the neck, that is responsible for turning the head (cervical rotation) to the opposite side and tilting the head (lateral flexion) to the side of the muscle.  The Sternocleidomastoid muscle is a complex muscle that has attachments to several different bones and joints. Because of the compacted position in utero that  children maintain in the latter weeks of gestation, all children are born with a tendency to turn their head to one side or the other.  After birth this usually evens out and children are able to keep their heads in mid-line.  Young infants typically revert to their preferred position of comfort when sleeping, which can sometimes lead to an acquired torticollis if care is not taken to encourage even head turning to both sides.  There are children whose Sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM muscle) is actually shortened at birth or may have a cyst or nodule in the muscle or surrounding tissue; this is referred to as congenital Torticollis.

Torticollis Signs and Symptoms:  How Does it Manifest?

When the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle (SCM Muscle) is tight on one side, it produces a head tilt to that side with head rotation to the other side.  For instance, if the right Sternocleidomastoid muscle is tight, the child’s resting position will be one of head tilt to their right and head rotation to their left, or Right Torticollis (Torticollis to the Right).

Left Torticollis

Right Torticollis

This makes looking over their right shoulder difficult and keeping their head in mid-line nearly impossible.  If the left Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is tight, children have a Left Torticollis (Torticollis to the left) and have difficulty tilting their heads to their right and turning their heads to the left to look over their left shoulder. Sometimes a child will be able to get their head to a mid-line position, but the shoulder on the affected side will be elevated.  It is important that a Physical Therapist perform a Torticollis Evaluation on every child with Torticollis and design a treatment plan specific to that child. 

Implications of Torticollis:  Why is this a Big Deal?

We need to use our bodies evenly and keep our head in mid-line in order to orient ourselves to the world.  It is not normal to keep our head tilted to one side when looking at another person or object.  The uneven musculature in a child diagnosed with Torticollis can lead to permanent changes in that child's body. If Torticollis is left untreated, it can lead to the development of a Totorticollis Facial Asymmetry, which is a shifting of the facial features.

Torticollis Left Untreated

The body, in an attempt to even itself out will sometimes develop a scoliosis (curvature of the spine) to compensate for the asymmetry at the head and neck.  This leads to a distorted thoracic cavity and encroaches on the space used by the lungs and heart.  Children with scoliosis are more prone to respiratory and cardiac issues.  Wolffe’s law states that the stress placed on a bone will cause the bone to re-shape itself. Cranio-Facial Structures can be affected by Torticollis which can have lifelong implications for that person.  If a baby’s head is always tilted to one side, and they are frequently on their back (supine position), they may develop a flattening of the head (skull)

Torticollis and Skull Deformity

on the area where they are weight bearing the most; this flattening is called Plagiocephaly (on one side) or Brachiocephaly (flattening along the entire back of the head). If a child develops a severe Plagiocephaly they may need a Cranio-Helmet to correct this skull deformity. Talk to your doctor and physical therapist about the use of a Helmet for Plagiocephaly.

Asymmetrical Sitting due to Torticollis

Physical Therapy For Torticollis

 Torticollis can also delay a baby's Gross Motor Skill Acquistion, keeping a baby from rolling, crawling and walking within the normal time parameters.

Torticollis Treatment:  What can be done about it?

Positioning

Physicians agree that babies should be placed on their backs to sleep, as there is a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs). But babies need to be on their tummies when they are awake so that they will begin to develop strength in their neck and trunk extensor muscles which leads to the development of crawling skills and good core control (See previous blogs) Making sure that children get Tummy Time is extremely important.  Paying attention to a child’s position in their crib, bassinet, car seat, etc. is also important.  Children will naturally turn toward stimulation.  If they always see their parent coming into a room from the right, they will want to turn their head in that direction.  If they hear mother’s voice, the TV or radio from the left, they will want to turn their head to that direction.  We can use this to help improve the mobility or active range of motion of a child’s neck. For instance, if a child has difficulty turning their head to the right (right Torticollis), placing a child in their crib on their back with the door to the room to their right will encourage looking to that direction, as they will  naturally turn to that direction, anticipating the arrival of their parent, food and comfort. Presenting Stimulating Infant Toys to the affected side can encourage a baby to turn to that side.

Toys can Stimulate Baby to Turn Head

 Using feeding time as a therapy intervention is also beneficial.  Again, as in our previous example, if a child has difficulty turning to the right, breastfeeding on the mother’s left side first will facilitate head turning to the child’s right.  Or offering the bottle with the child positioned in your left arm will also encourage the child to turn their head to the right.  When placed in sitting, offering toys to the right side of the child will promote more head turning to that side. A skilled Physical Therapist will talk with you about how to position your baby in their car seat and other situations so as to minimize or correct the effects of the Torticollis.

     

Physical Therapy Intervention for Torticollis

 An Early Intervention Physical Therapist (one who specializes in Physical Therapy with children birth to 3 years old) will be able to analyze the problem, take initial range of motion measurements, provide direct, skilled intervention and instruct parents and care providers in exercises

Physical Therapy for Torticollis

 and activities to promote improved head mobility and control as well as facilitate the progression of gross motor milestones of early childhood.


Torticollis Exercises and Treatment might include passive range of motion (stretching exercises), active range of motion, Home Exercise Program, Myofascial Release techniques, Skull Molding Techniques, Kinesio-Taping for Torticollis, Cranio-Helmet (for severe Plagiocephaly), Infant Massage, and Neuro-Developmental Techniques.

Cranio Helmet for Plagiocephaly

Kinesio Taping for Torticollis

 

In Summary

The earlier Torticollis is detected, the easier it will be to correct. Therefore the sooner the child is able to get intervention in the form of Physical Therapy, the better.  Take a critical look at your child, your grandchild, your neighbor's child; do they always have their head tilted to one direction?  When you look at pictures of them are they always looking in the same direction? Look at them from the front, back, and a "Bird's Eye View" (Top of the head looking downward)--is there any deformity seen?  Any irregular shape?  Any redness in the creases of the neck?  These may be indicators of Torticollis.

Talk with your doctor and get professional help immediately!

Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.