Starfish Therapies

A pediatric therapy company operating in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We provide physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy services in the most beneficial and convenient setting for you and your child, including our clinic, currently located in Burlingame, your home, school or daycare.

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Independent Standing

July 22, 2020 by Stacy Menz

In order to walk, your little one will eventually need to be able to stand on their own. In order to do that they will need to develop balance and control. This happens over time as they continue to get stronger with their gross motor skills. They develop the muscle strength as well as the right reactions and balance reactions needed to keep them upright.

In the beginning they may be able to stand for a brief second and you are afraid to even breathe because you don’t think they could maintain their balance if you exhale too forcefully! So what can you do to help them?

  1. Lots of cruising! This is where you can progress their balance. Make the surfaces more challenging or further apart. Check out this blog for some ideas.
  2. Working on walking. We have a whole series of videos that show how to promote independent walking. Each of these ideas will also help with standing balance! Standing with back to wall, sit to stand, more cruising, and pushing an item.
  3. Standing with an unstable surface. Your little one still gets the support but they have to work on their balance to maintain upright! Some favorites are hula hoops, yoga balls, and push toys!

What ways have worked for you and your little one?

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Filed Under: Blog, Developmental Milestones Tagged With: balance, body awareness, core, developmental delay, education, exercise, gross motor development, kids, moms, motivation, Motor Smart Kids, physical therapy, standing, Starfish Therapies, strengthening

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We have been working with Starfish Therapies over the last year, and my four year-old has made incredible progress in her gross motor development. Stacy has an amazing ability to work with children. She uses her energy, humor and creativity to make children laugh and play, and at the same time work very hard.”

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Locations

  BURLINGAME / MAIN CLINIC
  1541 Old Bayshore Highway
  Burlingame, CA 94010


  SAN FRANCISCO
  (located in KidSpace)
  3401 Mission St.
  San Francisco, CA 94110


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  (located in Agile Physical Therapy)
  3825 El Camino Real
  Palo Alto, CA 94306


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  (located at Sensitive Solutions)
  30 Avenue Portola, Suite 200 C & D
  Half Moon Bay, CA 94018

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