Lab is Child's Play for Students in Neurological Conditions II

Annual 'Baby Lab' Helps PY3 Students Learn About Developmental Milestones

Written by Emily Redpath (Class of 2023)

Some students from the DPT Class of 2023 will tell you that working with children is their dream, while others… Not so much. Either way, it is likely that everyone will encounter children throughout their future careers as physical therapists.  Therefore, it is important that everyone has the chance to interact with children of all ages to see the differences in language and motor development across childhood. 

In the annual baby lab, coordinated by Neurological Conditions II course instructor Jessica Luechtefeld, PT, DPT, PCS, students had the opportunity to play with children ranging from just a few months old to 9 years old. 

Students worked in groups to note different developmental milestones among the children while playing with them.  

The focus in lab was on gaining comfort playing with children and not on creating or performing interventions, however, the students were still able to see the importance of keeping kids engaged and making all activities centered around fun!

This lab would not be possible without the help of those who generously volunteered their children for participation.