At Blue Bird Day, our team of Pediatric Physical Therapists incorporate play into their work to promote the development of our clients’ gross motor skills, strength, balance, and endurance. Evidence based practice supports DIR/Floortime as an effective approach to promote development of skills, and incorporating play into our work encourages individual participation and promotes peer interactions.
Below are different Play Positions for your child to increase their strength and flexibility while having fun!
1. Quadruped (All Fours)
- On hands and knees
- Ensure knees are directly under hips
- Hands directly under shoulders
- Head looking up and forward
- Back and belly flat
2. Prone On Elbows
- Propped on forearms
- Elbows directly under shoulders
- Head supporting itself with ears away from the shoulders
- Legs together and straight out
3. Tall Kneel
- Knees together or no more than shoulder-width apart
- Knees directly under hips
- Trunk upright
4. Tailor Sit (Criss Cross)
- Knees flexed and legs tucked in as far as possible
- Trunk upright
5. Side Sit
- Both legs flexed to the same side
- Opposite arm can be extended
- Place an activity or toy on the opposite side of legs for trunk rotation
6. Long Sit
- Both legs straight out in front of body
- Place an activity or toy on either side of legs for trunk rotation
At Blue Bird Day, Eyas Landing, and Merlin Day Academy, our Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Behavior Therapy teams all collaborate to target your child’s unique goals and to help them generalize their skills across multiple environments. If you would like recommendations tailored to your child’s preferences and goals, please reach out to your therapy team and they can provide more information!
Watch our caregiver workshop on Meeting Your Kids Where They’re At in Play to learn more strategies on how to promote your child’s play at home!
Blue Bird Day—the first therapeutic preschool and kindergarten program in the nation—fosters socialization, sensory regulation, and pre-academic learning in children ages 2-7 years. Our compassionate therapists practice a relationship-based and family-centered approach, provide parent training, and collaborate on goals and individualized intensive treatment plans for your child.
We believe in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary team approach to therapy. A team of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, developmental therapists, behavioral therapists, physical therapists, and therapeutic assistants are created for each child to ensure child and family are fully supported and the best possible results are achieved.
Options for individualized, group and virtual therapy sessions are available as well.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!
