Pediatrics
Other babies the same age are sitting, crawling or walking, and yours is not there yet. Every child grows at their own pace, but if you are worried, it is worth checking. Physical therapy can help babies and toddlers build the strength and confidence to move.
Physical therapy can help babies and toddlers who are slow to roll, sit, crawl, stand or walk. Gross motor skills are the big movements that use the whole body. Some children are simply on the later side of normal. Others need help with strength, balance or a tight muscle. A physical therapist looks at how your child moves and uses play to help them reach the next step. If you are worried about your child's development, start by talking with their pediatrician. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, and parents are part of every visit.
The CDC's milestone checklists list skills that most children can do by a certain age. Many babies do them earlier, and there is a range of normal. Some common movement milestones:
Crawling is not on the CDC's checklists, because some healthy babies scoot on their bottom or go straight to standing. If your baby was born early, your pediatrician may look at milestones based on your due date. These are not tests, and missing one does not mean something is wrong. But if your child is behind, or you have a feeling something is off, talk with your pediatrician.
There are many reasons a child might be late with movement skills. Some babies have a tight neck muscle (torticollis) that makes rolling or sitting harder. Some have low muscle tone or weak core muscles. Some spend a lot of time in car seats, swings or bouncers and get less floor time to practice. A delay can also be linked to a health or developmental condition, which is why your pediatrician should be part of the picture. A physical therapist does not diagnose these conditions, but we can help your child move better.
Therapy for babies and toddlers looks like play. Your therapist uses toys, songs and games to help your child practice the next skill, like reaching while sitting, getting onto hands and knees, or stepping along a couch. We work on strength in the neck, trunk, hips and legs, balance, and moving both sides of the body evenly.
You are part of every visit. You learn simple ways to set up floor time and play at home, and you get a home program that fits into your day. We keep your child's pediatrician updated on progress.
The first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We talk with you about pregnancy, birth, health and your concerns, then watch your child move and play to see what they can do and where they get stuck.
One-on-one sessions that build strength, balance and new skills through play, with you learning alongside. You leave with a home program of simple activities.
We track your child's skills over time, adjust the plan as they reach each new step, and share progress with your pediatrician.
Talk with your child's doctor right away if your child:
Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.
Ready to feel better?
Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.
Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026