Your Child's Physical Development

Please [click here]( if you have problems viewing this message. Find Us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [HealthyChildren.org]( The only site and newsletter backed by 67,000 AAP pediatricians! [Prenatal]( [Baby]( [Toddler]( [Preschool]( [Gradeschool]( [Teen]( [Young Adult]( Your Child's Physical Development July 2023 | Issue 235 [parent breastfeeding baby]( [Is Your Child's Motor Skill Development on Track?]( You know your child best. So, it's important to share any concerns with your pediatrician if you think your little one's development doesn't seem on track. Acting early on motor delays makes a big difference. Use our newly updated [Motor Delay Tool]( help gauge how they are moving and interacting with their environment, compared with typical milestones. The tool provides resources to help your family [learn more]( physical development delays and related conditions, and tips to start a conversation with your pediatrician. Also see: - [Growth & Development Milestones by Age 5]( - [A Team Approach to Support & Monitor Your Child's Development]( [parental guidance media ratings]( [Physical Activity for Kids With Disabilities]( All kids between 6 to 17 years old need at least 60 minutes of [physical activity]( every day. Unfortunately, children and teens with disabilities often face more obstacles to participating in sports and other activities. In [this article]( find tips to overcome these challenges. Don't miss the "Parent to Parent" by Karl Bayerlein, who describes the big impact that sports participation has had on his son Kyle, who has autism. Also meet Leah Zalaya, a teen who was born with a rare neuromuscular disease and told that she'd never be able to walk. She [shares]( how she beat the odds, learning to walk with forearm braces and also becoming a dancer, skier, cyclist, actress and model. [Go to article.]( [PowerPlay_200_2098436.jpg]( Body Language in Play Playing with your child is a great way to help them build communication skills. After all, back and forth communication—whether through words or body language—is the essence of shared play. And while you're playing together, leaving some some things unsaid can help them flex their emotional detective skills. Try activities that require them to read your facial expressions, look in the direction of your gaze or follow your gestures. Charades and dance parties are classic nonverbal turn-taking games. Instead of using words, try communicating with an eyebrow raise or a head nod! Even throwing a ball back and forth involves checking in to see if the other person is ready. Find more tips in this month's Power of Play article, [Use Shared Play to Build Communication Skills](. Find free printable play sheets [here](. Also on HealthyChildren.org: [Simple Ways to Entertain Your Baby & Boost Their Development at Home]( [The Importance of Tummy Time]( [Playground Safety]( [Is Your Child Ready for Sports?]( [AAP Schedule of Well-Child Visits]( Thank You to Our Sponsors: [211125_SANOFI_LOGO_RGB_200_2137356.png]( [melissa2_2006054.jpg]( [melissa2_2006054.jpg]( [AAP]( The AAP is the world's largest publisher of pediatric content. [HealthyChildren.org]( is the digital extension of the AAP mission to provide the most trustworthy health content to parents and caregivers at home, on the go, and from anywhere in the world. The information contained on this newsletter and on [HealthyChildren.org]( should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. © Copyright 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved. American Academy of Pediatrics | 345 Park Blvd. | Itasca, IL 60143, USA [Log Into Your Account]( | [Contact Us]( | [About Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Editorial Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( American Academy of Pediatrics, 345 Park Boulevard, Itasca, IL 60143