From First Movements to Milestones: Supporting Infant Motor Development in the First Year of Life

The first year of life is a critical period for the development of gross motor skills that support exploration, learning, and participation. This course equips physical and occupational therapists with the knowledge and clinical reasoning needed to evaluate motor development, recognize factors that may influence milestone acquisition, and implement evidence-based interventions that facilitate functional movement. Through analysis of the biomechanical and developmental foundations of movement, participants will learn practical strategies to promote postural control and mobility, empowering infants to explore and interact successfully with their environment.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the sequence and characteristics of typical gross motor development during the first year of life, including the emergence of key developmental milestones.
2. Analyze the biomechanical and developmental components of movement, including postural control, weight shifting, stability, and mobility, that contribute to the acquisition of gross motor skills.
3. Design evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate intervention strategies that promote postural control, mobility, and functional gross motor skill acquisition during the first year of life.