Lab is Child's Play for Students in Neurological Conditions II

Annual 'Baby Lab' Helps PY3 Students Learn About Developmental Milestones

Written by Emily Redpath (Class of 2023)

Some students from the DPT Class of 2023 will tell you that working with children is their dream, while others… Not so much. Either way, it is likely that everyone will encounter children throughout their future careers as physical therapists.  Therefore, it is important that everyone has the chance to interact with children of all ages to see the differences in language and motor development across childhood. 

In the annual baby lab, coordinated by Neurological Conditions II course instructor Jessica Luechtefeld, PT, DPT, PCS, students had the opportunity to play with children ranging from just a few months old to 9 years old. 

Students worked in groups to note different developmental milestones among the children while playing with them.  

The focus in lab was on gaining comfort playing with children and not on creating or performing interventions, however, the students were still able to see the importance of keeping kids engaged and making all activities centered around fun!

This lab would not be possible without the help of those who generously volunteered their children for participation. 

SLU DPT Students Foal Around During Hippotherapy

SLU DPT Student Field Experience Spotlight - Hippotherapy

Students in the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy participate in offsite experiences to enhance their knowledge and skills in various specialty physical therapy practice areas.

The Pediatric Seminar class had the opportunity to meet and learn more about Equine Assisted Therapy, or Hippotherapy, during a visit to TREE House of Greater St. Louis. TREE includes PT, OT, and speech therapy staff.

The therapists analyze both the patients and horses for movement, posture, and gait to better match them as partners.  

The company runs camps and is always looking for more volunteers to help with these therapy sessions. 

At the end of the tour and presentation the students got the chance to ride the horses and practice the contact guard positions around the horse to protect the patient. 

DCE on the Road - Baton Rouge to Kenner

Dr. Beckel completed 3 more visits on 2/20. She visited with the staff at McMains Development Center and learned about the incredible pediatric care provided at this facility since the early 1950's.

She then visited with clinicians at the Moreau Physical Therapy clinic in Central City. She learned about how different each Moreau clinic is in terms of services offered and patient conditions.

After grabbing a wonderful shrimp Po'Boy at Carlton's and visiting with some wonderful local residents, she headed east to Kenner to visit with the Center Coordinator at Concentra Medical Center.

Concentra locations are always a wonderful location to collaborate with the occupational medicine physicians, learn to care for acute injuries, and advance their manual skills.

While in Kenner, Dr. Beckel discovered the location for the first prize fight held in the U.S. She never knows what she will find along the highway in between her visits!

SLU DPT PYIII Students Kid Around During Pediatric Seminar

Pediatric Seminar - Annual Baby Lab
Primary Instructor: Mary Jo Davenport, PhD, PT

Students enjoyed the opportunity to examine many different questions about how infants and young children of various ages develop, learn, and master gross and fine motor skills.  As each child engaged in various play and movement activities the students analyzed, compared, and discussed how children move at various ages.  This was a also great opportunity for students to compare social, and language skills among infants and toddlers of various ages. This lab was made possible with the help of faculty and staff who generously volunteered their adorable children for participation.