How At-Home Programs Improve Benefits of Pediatric Therapy
Traditional pediatric therapy sessions are important for maximizing gains in developmental skills. But did you know that implementing at-home programs can also dramatically improve your child’s success in therapy? By helping your child practice their new skills between appointments, you can significantly speed up their progress in their pediatric therapy program and ensure they gain as much as possible from their treatment.
What Is an At-Home Pediatric Therapy Program?
At-home programs provide children with exercises and activities that support the skills they learn with their therapist. We offer at-home programs with specific activities unique to your child that you can implement to ensure your child’s success. By engaging in these activities both at home and in the clinic, children can improve their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and overall development at a faster rate. Plus, it allows your family to be part of your child’s development and progress toward a successful future.
Why Your Child Needs an At-Home Therapy Program
At-home programs enable children to practice their new developmental skills between therapy sessions. Most children only attend pediatric therapy once or twice a week. Depending on your child’s circumstances, they spend a significantly more amount of time with caregivers at home or daycare. This does not mean that in-person pediatric therapy appointments are not effective. It means that children can make more sustainable progress with a combination of at-home and in-clinic learning.
Imagine that you wanted to run a marathon (a 26-mile race). For most people, this would require lots of practice to achieve. Would you be able to run a marathon sooner if you only practiced twice per week? Or would you make better progress if you practiced every single day? “Practice makes perfect,” as the saying goes; and while your child may not be planning to run a marathon, they will progress faster the more often they practice their developmental skills.
Our At-Home Therapy Programs Empower Your Child
A child's journey to becoming a confident and independent adult is a team effort. That's why we encourage parents and other family members to actively participate in your child's therapy program. This ensures your child will make consistent progress toward their therapy goals. Our at-home pediatric therapy programs make this possible. We provide customized recommendations on how to help your child practice the occupational, speech, language, physical and/or feeding skills they learn during therapy.
Benefits of Engaging with Your Child Using Our At-Home Therapy Programs
When you take time to work with your child on their at-home pediatric therapy program, you give them the opportunity to reinforce what they learn in their therapy sessions. This helps them make faster progress, but there are other benefits to using an at-home program, too:
Your child gets more practice with their developmental skills.
The whole family can participate, which is fun and encouraging for your child.
If you take a trip or vacation, your child will be able to keep practicing and retain what they have learned in therapy.
Your child can gain more independence and confidence.
You can see your child’s progress with your own eyes.
How to Incorporate Your Child’s At-Home Therapy Program into Your Daily Routine
At-home pediatric therapy programs are an effective supplement to your child’s pediatric therapy sessions, but many parents worry about how to incorporate one into their daily routine. Much of what we include on our at-home programs is not difficult to do. Your child can practice their developmental skills while brushing their teeth, grocery shopping, eating dinner, and during many other regular family activities.
When we give you an at-home program unique to your child, we will make suggestions and answer your questions. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your child’s at-home program:
Consistency is key. Make sure to help your child practice their new skills every day.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage your child. Praise them for their efforts and achievements, no matter how small.
Involve your child’s program in everyday activities. For example, you can practice speech therapy exercises while driving in the car or making dinner. You can practice occupational skills while folding laundry or during play time.
Pick times that are easy for you as well. It’s better to help your child practice their skills when you aren’t distracted by pressing matters.
Communicate regularly with your child's therapist to ensure that you are on the right track and to make any necessary adjustments to the program.
Schedule Your Free Pediatric Therapy Screening
Our team at Metro Therapy has developed at-home pediatric therapy exercises that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine to ensure your child’s success. Call us at (763) 450-9400 to schedule a free pediatric therapy screening and ask about our at-home programs to help your child reach their fullest potential today.
