Not Walking Yet? Stairs Really Strengthen Legs 👨🏻‍🦰👣 | Down Syndrome PT #116

👋🏽 Hi, I’m Amy Sturkey, a retired pediatric physical therapist with over 35 years of experience. 📺 Everett Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjPqgM4rbEV8G1bMdC1Dyzaw Thank you again to this wonderful family for welcoming me back. In this session, I’m working again with Everett 🧑🏻‍🦰, who has Down syndrome and is just days away from turning 3 years old. Everett was born almost two months premature, had corrective heart surgery, and has a G-tube. I first met him at 11½ months old and have been following his progress as he grows stronger and more mobile. Right now, Everett can pull to stand, cruise along furniture, and lower himself back down. However, he is not yet walking independently. Today, I introduce Everett to stair climbing. Many young children enjoy stairs, and they can be a wonderful way to build leg strength, coordination, and confidence. Since Everett has had very little experience on stairs, I provide a great deal of assistance while helping him begin to learn the movement pattern. To motivate him, his mother waits higher up on the stairs while one of his favorite videos plays nearby. Then we begin working our way up together. 👣 ⏱️ Video Chapters 0:00 Meet Amy 👱🏻‍♀️ & Everett 🧑🏻‍🦰 0:15 Why stairs can be helpful 0:35 Getting started at the bottom step 0:50 Placing the preferred right leg first 1:04 Helping Everett push up 1:23 Repeating the pattern on the next steps 1:42 Everett begins figuring it out 1:54 Why stairs help build leg strength ⭐ What you’ll see • Everett's first stair-climbing practice • Hands-and-knees stair climbing • Assistance with leg placement • Repetition of a simple movement pattern • Motivation using Mom and a favorite video • Early problem solving on the stairs • Leg strengthening through climbing 🧠 Clinical note Stair climbing can be an excellent strengthening activity for children who are not yet walking independently. The stairs naturally encourage: • Weight shifting • Leg strengthening • Core activation • Coordination between the arms and legs • Motor planning Because Everett strongly prefers his right leg, I initially place that leg first to help him experience success and learn the movement pattern. Once a child becomes comfortable with the activity, I would typically begin encouraging use of the less-preferred side as well so both legs develop strength and coordination. 🌟 Why this matters Children 👶🏻👶🏽👶🏾 with Down syndrome and low muscle tone often need many opportunities to build strength through functional activities. Stair climbing can help develop: • Leg strength • Hip strength • Weight shifting skills • Coordination • Confidence with movement • Foundations for future walking One of the things I like most about stairs is that many children find them naturally motivating, making practice easier and more enjoyable. ⚠️ IMPORTANT These videos are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for in-person pediatric physical therapy. It would be unethical for me to provide specific treatment recommendations without personally evaluating your child. 📬 Contact Email: [amysturkey@gmail.com](mailto:amysturkey@gmail.com) 📚 Books by Amy Sturkey (Amazon) “P is for Poop and Pee Accidents” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 “A is for Anxiety” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V “A is for ADHD” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR “C is for Cerebral Palsy” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP “D is for Down Syndrome” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 “A is for Autism” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB 🧠 Professional PT Books Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD