Physiotherapy for Toddlers and Young Children
Written by: Richard Domenic Simeoni, Doctor of Physiotherapy, May 2025
Physiotherapy for Toddlers and Young Children
At Nano Physiotherapy, we understand that every child develops at their own pace—but when physical challenges arise, early intervention can make a world of difference. Physiotherapy for toddlers and young children is about more than just movement. It’s about helping little ones build the foundations for confidence, independence, and access to the world around them.
As a mobile and community-based physiotherapy provider, we come to your home, local park, or play space—wherever your child feels safe and engaged—to provide tailored, goal-driven therapy that supports their development in the most natural way possible.
Why Might a Toddler or Young Child Need Physiotherapy?
There are many reasons a child may benefit from physiotherapy during early childhood. Some children need support for diagnosed conditions, while others may be simply showing signs of physical delay or difficulty. Common concerns we work with include:
Cerebral Palsy (CP): Helping children manage tone, develop functional movement, and build strength for everyday tasks.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Supporting sensory-motor integration, coordination, and motor planning to improve engagement and physical participation.
Developmental Delay: Assisting children who are slower to achieve physical milestones such as sitting, crawling, or walking.
Genetic or Chromosomal Disorders: Including conditions like Down syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome, where physiotherapy can assist with hypotonia, coordination, and gross motor development.
Neuromuscular conditions: Helping manage muscle weakness, fatigue, and progressive motor function issues.
Orthopaedic concerns: Such as torticollis, plagiocephaly, flat feet, toe walking, or hypermobility.
Injury Recovery: Assisting recovery following fractures, soft tissue injuries, or surgery.
**Even when a diagnosis is not yet clear, physiotherapy can provide a supportive early step in identifying needs and building skills.
How Physiotherapy Helps in Early Childhood
Physiotherapy for this age group is highly individualised and delivered in a way that encourages natural curiosity and play. Our treatments are grounded in evidence-based approaches and tailored to each child’s strengths, challenges, and developmental stage.
We provide:
Thorough assessment: Understanding your child’s movement patterns, posture, strength, balance, and coordination.
Play-based treatment: Encouraging motor development through interactive, age-appropriate tasks that are engaging and motivating.
Goal-focused therapy: Whether it’s learning to crawl, climb stairs, or play at the local playground we focus on real-world goals that matter to your family.
Home and community integration: Strategies and exercises that easily fit into your daily routines and preferred environments.
Parent education and involvement: Empowering families with knowledge and tools to support continued progress between sessions.
Supporting Children in Their Own Environments
One of the key advantages of mobile physiotherapy is that it happens in the spaces where children live, play, and grow. This allows therapy to be:
More natural and relaxed – Children are more likely to participate when they’re in familiar, low-stress environments.
Easier to generalise – When we work on climbing, it’s on your stairs or play equipment. When we work on walking, it’s on the same surfaces they use every day.
More convenient for families – No travel or waiting rooms, and more time focused on your child’s goals.
We believe that working in the child’s own environment leads to better outcomes, more sustainable progress, and greater confidence for both the child and their caregivers.
Empowering Families and Building Foundations for the Future
At Nano Physiotherapy, we take a collaborative and family-centred approach. We understand the importance of involving parents, caregivers, and even siblings in the process of therapy. By giving you the knowledge and confidence to support your child’s movement and play, we create a supportive team around the child that extends far beyond our sessions.
We are passionate about helping children thrive—physically, emotionally, and socially—through better movement and increased participation in everyday life.
Contact Nano Physiotherapy today to learn how we can help your child achieve their milestones and build the strength and skills needed to explore, play, and grow with confidence.
