Book
Enquire Now
(02) 9519 0966

Milestones

Categories:
Categories
Close-up of a child’s hands holding an orange pencil and writing in a workbook.

Celebrating OT Week: Why Little Hands Matter So Much

This week at Therapies for Kids, we’re celebrating our wonderful occupational therapists! Over the past week, we’ve been sharing ideas to support handwriting by building strength in the muscles of the hands. So I thought I’d take a moment to talk about fine motor skills, because they form the basis for so many of the activities your child does throughout the day. Our OTs are constantly looking for new and creative ways to develop these skills. To your child, it looks like play. But behind the fun, it’s building a foundation for life.
A group of children taking turns jumping over a long skipping rope in a park.

Why Skipping Matters: The Step-Hop Milestone That Brings It All Together

Skipping looks like pure joy, and it is. It’s also one of the most complex movement skills young children learn. Here’s what goes into it, when to expect it, and how to help if your child is finding it tricky. Skipping is the culmination of a whole set of gross motor skills that children build between the ages of about two and five: balancing on one leg, jumping, hopping and galloping. When a child finally skips across the playground, all of that earlier work is coming together at once. (Just so we’re on the same page, I’m talking about the step-hop skip across the yard, not skipping with a rope. That comes later!)
Smiling toddler riding a yellow toy car down a green ramp inside a colorful indoor play gym.

Hypermobility in Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know (And What to Do About It)

Wondering if your child is “just flexible” or experiencing symptomatic hypermobility? Learn the signs to look for, how hypermobility can affect daily life, and how paediatric physiotherapy can help.
A girl jumps mid-air over an elastic band held by two other children playing outdoors in a sunny park.

Why Hopping Matters: A Key Milestone in Your Child’s Development

Hopping is more than just a fun skill — it’s an important milestone that shows strength, balance, coordination and confidence. Learn when children typically hop, why it matters and how to support their development.
A young child receiving intensive paediatric therapy with two therapists guiding movement on a treadmill.

Unlocking Potential: Neuroplasticity in Early Intervention Therapy for Children

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire, especially strong in early childhood. Targeted therapy during this time helps build stronger, more functional brain pathways. Whether your child is learning to move, speak or sit, early intervention makes a difference.
Two women help a young boy play with a pegboard game at a small table in a colorful playroom.

What Is Joint Attention In Children?

Joint attention is a crucial developmental milestone in children. This blog explains joint attention & some effective joint attention activities for kids.
Two adults help a young girl practice balancing on colorful stability equipment in a playroom.

Jumping milestones for children 18 months to 5+ years

Jumping develops once your toddler is walking, going up and down stairs, trotting, and walking on their toes.
Children holding a large, colorful play parachute with balloons in an indoor playroom.

Social stages of play for children 0-6+ years

Any activity that your child does (whether organised or unstructured) that they find fun is considered play. Play is much more than just having fun. While playing, your child learns and develops important skills they will continue to use throughout their lifetime. There are 6 stages of play during early childhood – all of which are important for all areas of development.
A teacher and child interact using a colorful illustrated story board depicting a park scene during a lesson.

Pointing for children 5-18 months

Pointing is a fine motor skill that is used for early social and communication interactions.
Toddler in blue overalls holds the hands of two adults while taking steps.

Independent standing milestones for children 0-12 months

In the last 2 weeks we have had a number of our little people at TFK achieve independent standing. Such a lovely thing to see as a baby has the confidence and skills to let go and stand alone. Initially they can only stand, but very quickly they can hold a toy, play, and reach while maintaining their balance in standing. The ability to stand alone is important for both motor and social/cognitive development.
Overhead view of a baby sitting on a white mat, surrounded by toys like stuffed animals, books, and play food.

Fine motor skills for children 6-12 months

Last week we discussed fine motor development in the first 6 months and the importance of vision and gross motor skills for this successful development. From 6-12 months, this continues to be the case, but as well fine motor development (especially pointing) is important for early communication.
A tiny baby's hand in a patterned sleeve gently holding onto an adult's hand.

Hand skills for children aged 0-6 months

For the next couple weeks, we will discuss the development of fine motor skills in the first 12 months of a baby’s life. Fine motor skills are the movements we make using the small muscles of the hands.
Load More
Search

Please type in your search query below:
Enquire Now
(02) 9519 0966