Supporting Infant and Toddler Milestone Development with Occupational Therapy
As an occupational therapist in Eugene, Oregon I specialize in helping infants and toddlers under 2 years old meet their critical developmental milestones. These milestones are key markers of a child’s physical, cognitive, and social development, including gross motor skills like crawling and walking, as well as fine motor skills like grasping objects and stacking blocks. Early intervention in eugene or can significantly improve a child’s ability to develop these essential skills, particularly if they show signs of delays. Infant feeding difficulties are often the first sign of milestone delays. As a certified breastfeeding specialist (aspiring IBCLC) and Occupational Therapist I am uniquely qualified to provide holistic infant feeding and developmental assistance.
The Importance of Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones refer to specific abilities that most children achieve by a certain age. These include motor skills, communication, problem-solving, and social interaction. Reaching these milestones is crucial for a child’s overall development, and delays in any area may indicate the need for intervention. Through occupational therapy, I work closely with parents and caregivers to help children develop the necessary skills to reach these milestones. You can schedule a free consultation here in Eugene Oregon.
Key Developmental Milestones Before 2 Years Old
(Download a free easy to reference milestone developmental chart by age here)
Let’s break down the critical milestones that infants and toddlers typically achieve before the age of two, and how occupational therapy can help them reach these goals.
1. 0 to 3 Months: Early Movement and Sensory Development
During the first three months of life, babies are adjusting to the world outside the womb. This period is focused on developing early motor skills and sensory awareness:
• Head control: By 2 months, babies begin lifting their heads when placed on their stomachs. Encouraging proper tummy time can strengthen their neck and upper body muscles, which is essential for later milestones like rolling and crawling. I provide exercises and positions to help support early head control and sensory processing.
• Reflex integration: Reflexes like the Moro reflex or startle reflex are prominent at this stage. These reflexes should integrate as the baby grows. I work with parents to monitor and support the integration of these reflexes, ensuring a smooth transition to voluntary movements. Additionally I assess the effectiveness of common important reflexes like the Babinski reflex, rooting reflex, parachute reflex, spinal galant reflex, and more!
2. 3 to 6 Months: Gross Motor Control and Coordination
As babies gain more control over their body, they become more active. During this period, milestones like rolling over and grasping objects become important:
• Rolling over: Babies begin to roll from back to tummy and vice versa around 4 to 5 months. If a child shows difficulty rolling, I offer exercises that promote core strength, coordination, midline or body awareness and balance to assist in mastering this skill.
• Hand-to-mouth coordination: Babies start bringing their hands and objects to their mouths around 4-5 months. This fine motor skill helps develop sensory exploration and coordination. I use targeted activities that support the development of these skills through sensory play and object manipulation.
3. 6 to 9 Months: Mobility and Fine Motor Skills
As babies grow stronger, they become more mobile and curious. Between 6 and 9 months, babies start mastering independent movements and fine motor skills:
• Sitting independently: By 6 to 7 months, most babies can sit unsupported. This milestone requires core stability and balance, which can be supported through occupational therapy exercises targeting trunk control and body awareness.
• Crawling: Around 8 to 9 months, babies often start to crawl, a key gross motor skill that helps with coordination and strength. Babies with prior body tension, torticollis, plagiocephaly, all tend to begin crawling asymmetrically. This is known as a hitch crawl where one leg comes up higher and their foot hits the ground first rather than their knee. Other babies learn to army crawl fast and never progress to all fours, and then we have our butt scooters (which are super adorable) but all of these positions indicate a more significant motor planning and visual coordination issue. I provide crawling support through hands-on activities that promote proper movement patterns, body awareness and weight-shifting.
• Object transfer and manipulation: Babies begin transferring objects between hands and improving their fine motor control. I use engaging activities that encourage bilateral coordination and hand dexterity.
4. 9 to 12 Months: Preparing for Walking and Independent Play
As a baby nears their first birthday, they are usually pulling themselves to stand and exploring the world more actively. Key milestones at this stage include:
• Pulling to stand: Babies start pulling up on furniture to stand. But some babies are what we call "Happy sitters" they are perfectly content sitting or rolling to get where they need to. They avoid standing due to flexibility or strength difficulties. I provide gross motor interventions to improve leg strength and balance, helping them prepare for walking.
• Cruising: Once standing, babies often begin “cruising” along furniture. This milestone is critical for balance and coordination. My therapy sessions include exercises that encourage weight-shifting and stability with functional play based therapy.
• Pincer grasp: Around 10 months, babies develop the pincer grasp, where they can pick up small objects using their thumb and forefinger. I offer fine motor exercises to promote finger strength and coordination, crucial for self-feeding and future writing skills.
5. 12 to 18 Months: Independent Movement and Early Problem-Solving
By 12 months, most babies are either walking or close to it. From 12 to 18 months, toddlers refine their motor skills and begin early problem-solving:
• Walking: Many toddlers take their first steps between 12 and 15 months. If there are any delays in walking, I use functional mobility and play based therapy to build lower body strength and balance.
• Climbing and navigating obstacles: Toddlers at this age are often climbing on furniture and stairs. Occupational therapy can support their gross motor development by providing safe and structured climbing activities.
• Early problem-solving: By 18 months, toddlers can engage in early problem-solving, such as figuring out how to stack blocks or put objects in containers. I introduce problem-solving through play-based therapy that enhances cognitive and motor development.
6. 18 to 24 Months: Mastering Movement and Fine Motor Skills
As toddlers approach their second birthday, they begin mastering more advanced motor and cognitive skills:
Running and jumping: By 2 years old, most toddlers can run and jump, which are important for gross motor development. I offer activities that improve leg strength, coordination, and balance through play based therapy helping toddlers master these skills.
Building towers and simple puzzles: Toddlers become more interested in activities that require fine motor precision, such as building towers with blocks or solving simple puzzles. I provide fine motor exercises that focus on hand dexterity, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.
Language development: Although primarily a cognitive milestone, language development also involves motor skills, as toddlers start using gestures and sign language to communicate. I support both motor and social skills development through play therapy that incorporates communication.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Milestone Development
As an experienced occupational therapist working with infants and toddlers (and certified breastfeeding specialist and holistic infant feeding therapist), I focus on helping children reach and exceed their developmental milestones through early intervention. My services are tailored to each child’s unique needs, and I work closely with parents to provide support both during and outside of therapy sessions.
Occupational therapy is beneficial for addressing:
Gross motor delays, such as late crawling, rolling, or walking.
Fine motor skill development, like grasping, object manipulation, and hand-eye coordination.
Sensory processing issues, ensuring a child can respond appropriately to different textures, sounds, and visual stimuli.
Developmental delays in motor milestones due to conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or general developmental concerns.
Below are some red flags for development to look out for at each stage. Contacting Hali'a Therapeutics early can quickly identify issues and eradicate
If your child is showing signs of developmental delays or struggling to meet key milestones, early intervention through occupational therapy can provide them with the support they need to thrive. Whether your baby is learning to breastfeed, roll, crawl, walk, or develop their fine motor skills, I am here to offer the expertise and support your family needs.
Contact me today to schedule an assessment or a free consultation and begin working on a personalized plan to help your child reach their full potential.
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