OT developmental program: Positioning information sheet

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Introduction

This program helps young patients grow and develop in key areas, focusing on important skills like how children move, play, and interact in various positions. 

As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in this process. By choosing a few activities to do with your child, you can make a big difference in their development. 

Consult with your occupational therapist and choose 1-3  goals together that match your child’s needs. The occupational therapist will demonstrate the correct way to practice the activities while your child is awake, settled, and being supervised. 

Positioning activities and goals

Goal: Lying on my back

This position encourages me to keep my head in the middle and turn my head in both directions.

How

  • Place me on my back (in my cot/on a play mat), making sure my head is positioned in the middle
  • I like looking at my mobile or at my toy arch 
  • Using a toy/ your face, begin in the middle and slowly move the toy/ your face to one side then back to the middle
  • This is also a nice position for you to sing and talk to me! 

Resources

Provide support to the neck if my head needs to be re-positioned to the middle.

 

Goal: Lying on my side

This helps me bring my hands together so I can reach and grasp for toys

How

  • Place me on my back and encourage me to turn to one side
  • You can help me do this by using a toy, such as a rattle, and move it to one side whilst supporting my bottom and shoulder 
  • You can place a rolled towel behind me to help me stay in this position 
  • Help me to bring my hands together so I can see my hands 
  • Lay in front of me or give me toys to reach and grasp 

Resources

Make sure I spend time on both my left and right side.

Goal: Lying on my tummy

This will help me to strengthen my neck, trunk and shoulder muscles so that I can eventually sit, crawl and later to stand and walk! 

How

Variation 1

  • Position me lying on my belly across your lap
  • Encourage me to lift my head and chest up with a toy/mirror

Variation 2

  • Place me lying on my belly either on the cot or a play-mat 
  • Place my arms supported under my chest so that I can prop through my forearms 
  • Encourage me to lift my head with toys/a mirror 
  • You can place a rolled up towel under my chest to help me lift my head

Resources

Ensure this position is comfortable for me and yourself. This will be tiring for me so take it slow and for short, but frequent. 

Goal: Upright cuddles or time on your chest (modified tummy time)

To improve my head and trunk control

How

  • Hold me upright on your shoulder or lay me on your chest when you are seated and reclined
  • Interact with me to encourage me to lift and turn my head

Resources

Ensure this position is comfortable for me and yourself. This will be tiring for me so take it slow and complete in short, but frequent periods at a time. 

Goal: Supported sitting with an adult

To improve my ability to sit in a supported position with an adult so that I can interact with my environment and build muscles to eventually sit by myself

How

  • Position me on your lap facing you with your hands behind my shoulders
  • Support my shoulders forward and help me to bring my hands together
  • Encourage me to start watching your face as you slowly move to the left and right

Older babies (5-6 months)

  • Sit behind me and hold my hips and/or shoulders to help me sit up
  • See if I can hold my head up and look around

Resources

Make sure my shoulders and neck are supported. 

Goal: Sitting in my tumble form or bean bag cushion

So that I can interact with my environment and build my neck and trunk muscles to eventually sit by myself

How

  • Support my neck and bottom when transferring me into my chair
  • Make sure my straps are on and I am sitting upright – If needed, use rolled towels to give me extra support
  • You can play with me in this position by sitting in front of me and reading/singing/talking to me and offering me toys to hold 
  • Aim for 5-10 minutes to begin with

Resources

'How to Tumble Form factsheet’ and  ‘Bean Bag factsheet’ will be provided to you separately by your occupational therapist. 

Make sure I am awake, settled and being supervised when in my chair. Try to increase the amount of time I spend in my chair each day. 

Additional resources