| Description |
Early childhood is a sensitive time for developing healthy habits and as such pediatric physical therapists are well-positioned to provide evidence-based education, support, and coaching in Early Intervention about health promotion and wellness. Children with disabilities engage in less physically active play and have lower physical literacy than typically developing peers and we see these trends continue and worsen as children age. Through promoting decreased sedentary behaviors, increased physical activity, and better sleep patterns in children with disabilities we can help families to make healthy lifestyle choices throughout their child’s day. Understanding the recommendations and how to assess physical literacy and activity across the 24-hour period is important in order for PTs to provide tailored education to families using a coaching approach. It is also important that PTs understand the role that culture, family values, and context play in a child’s activity and how to engage families, childcare providers, and communities in the promotion of activity that is age-appropriate and inclusive of all children. We as pediatric PTs can embed evidence-supported activities into a child and family’s routines to promote the goal of every child engaging in a healthy day.
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