Crawling and Early Motor Milestones: Why Movement Matters in Occupational Therapy – Phnom Penh Support for Toddlers

The early months and years of a child’s life are filled with important developmental milestones. Crawling is often one of the first big steps toward independence. In Phnom Penh, parents may worry if their child skips crawling or shows delays in early motor development. At OrbRom Center, we provide occupational therapy for toddlers to help them build strength, coordination, and confidence through age-appropriate movement.

Why Crawling Is So Important

Crawling does far more than just help a child get around. It plays a vital role in overall development:

• Builds upper body and core strength

• Develops coordination between both sides of the body (bilateral integration)

• Promotes visual tracking and depth perception

• Prepares the body for fine motor skills like writing

• Strengthens hand and wrist muscles needed for grasping and manipulating objects

Children who do not crawl or who have difficulty with crawling may face challenges with balance, posture, or hand-eye coordination later.

Signs of Delayed Early Motor Skills

Parents and caregivers should watch for these signs:

• Late rolling, sitting, or crawling

• Favoring one side of the body

• Stiffness or floppiness in muscle tone

• Difficulty transitioning between positions

Early intervention with occupational therapy can help prevent these delays from affecting future development.

OrbRom Center’s Approach to Early Motor Intervention

Our occupational therapy services in Phnom Penh are designed to make early movement fun and engaging for toddlers and young children. We use play-based techniques to encourage natural movement patterns and motor development.

1. Tummy Time and Core Strengthening

Supervised tummy time builds neck, shoulder, and trunk strength to support crawling and sitting.

2. Crawling Obstacle Courses

We create safe, stimulating crawling courses that challenge coordination and build endurance.

3. Sensory Integration Activities

Many toddlers with sensory challenges benefit from textures, surfaces, and toys that stimulate movement and balance.

4. Parent Involvement and Home Plans

We partner with families to teach simple activities that can be practiced at home to reinforce therapy goals.

The OrbRom Difference

Our trained occupational therapists understand the unique developmental needs of toddlers. Every child at OrbRom Center receives a personalized therapy plan that addresses their individual motor challenges and milestones. Our compassionate approach ensures that toddlers feel safe, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential.

Don’t Wait to Seek Support

If your toddler in Phnom Penh is showing signs of delayed motor milestones or skipped crawling, early occupational therapy can make a world of difference. Contact OrbRom Center today to learn how we can help your child move toward success.