Physical Therapy for Infants and Toddlers
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse and other sources. Contact us via online form or by phone (1-877-275-3227) to request a resource listed below (or ask your local public librarian). Note that some videos may be viewed online, and journal titles will take you to the publisher’s homepage.
Table of Contents

EIC Resources
No resources have been added to this section yet. However, new resources are added frequently!
Books
This is a guide containing everything needed for physical therapists. It includes how to work with children, treatment options, how to manage PT, and more. Chapters are directed towards children of all ages; infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents. This is a great resource for anyone who is wanting to know more about becoming a physical therapist who works with children.
This book has information on assessing, diagnosing, and planning physical therapy interventions. It includes various conditions, treatments, and other information on pediatric PT practices. Growth and development, measurement, interventions, etc. are covered.
This text provides both theoretical and practical approaches to motor development and physical therapy techniques for preschoolers.
This book for parents and early interventionists contains a collection of reproducible sheets detailing developmentally appropriate activities that enhance the movement, motor skills, and sensory abilities of young children experiencing a developmental delay. It explains the role of physical therapists and uses family-centered, abilities-based models. This book includes theories, clinical applications, and skills for professionals to use.
This book has been thoroughly updated with current research information on pathophysiology. It uses the ICF Model of human functioning to organize information on the motor types of cerebral palsy and general hypotonia. All new information is made relevant to clinicians.
The simple, low-cost activities provide practical solutions to help children meet the demands of any situation, building skills from handwriting and using scissors to improving posture, co-ordination and motor planning.
This expanded edition presents an overview of fine motor development and how the characteristics of Down syndrome can impact the acquisition and progression of these skills.
This text covers all aspects of providing physical therapy to young children.
This book focuses on case studies that demonstrate the application of current motor development, motor control, and motor learning theories.
Videos and Media
Learn the importance of proper nutrition and sleep in the first year. See how infants rely on their innate reflexes and how gross and fine motor skills emerge in typically developing children as well as those with challenging conditions.
This DVD is part of a series of videos that outline strategies and methods that physical therapists can use with young children who are visually impaired.
Organizations
APTA is a national individual membership professional organization seeking to advance physical therapy practice, education, research, and awareness.
Articles
This article discusses how the physical therapist can best collaborate with other members of the early intervention team.
This article summarizes a recent study that examined the effectiveness of physical therapy with infants.
Web Resources
This organization seeks to provide physical therapists and other health professionals with multidisciplinary scientific education and research related to cerebral palsy and childhood-onset disabilities.
APTA is a national individual membership professional organization seeking to advance physical therapy practice, education, research, and awareness.
- APTA Section on Pediatrics: This section of the APTA site deals with pediatric physical therapy.
- Fact Sheets and Articles for Families and Service Providers; Spanish Language Resources: This provides useful handouts that physical therapists can provide to parents and families.
- Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA): IPTA is the Illinois chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. The site includes articles, blogs, and the latest news related to the practice of physical therapy in Illinois.
This page provides links to the early intervention position statements of various national organizations, including physical therapy associations.
Stores today are full of toys with “eye appeal” for children and adults. This can make it hard to tell if a toy is worth buying. After all, a child can turn almost anything into a toy! Here are some questions to keep in mind when you make decisions about toys for children. Also in Polish.