promoting physical development

[Reallytired]

My son as a toddler had a very difficult time. His speech was delayed due to glue ear and he suffered a lot of perforated ear drums. He had grommets which were a disaster and later on he temporary had hearing aids.

My also had problems learning to walk due to orthopedic problems. Infact he was under he was under an nhs child physio for 18 months. Being late walking (Ie. about 2 and half before he could walk across a room) caused a lot of unhappiness and frustration.

I am now expecting baby no.2 and I am wondering whatI can do to promote physical development. I have been looking at this book, Teach your child to be physically superb but it does seem a bit pushy. It seems to be aimed at parents who want their child to be an athelte, rather than just enjoy life.

I really want a book on "How to avoid your child needing a child physio", but I doult there is anything like that on the market. Maybe I am being paranoid about bump.

Even though I know I was a good parent to my son I do sometimes wonder if my parenting was at fault because he had such a rotten time.

no sure if i'll be much help, but my son was referred to an occupational therapist.

he had quite a few exercises to do to improve balance/co-ordination etc.

they were: walking on a 4ft line so that toes were to heels (iykwim) without wobbling off.

standing behind a line and throwing bean bags into a bucket

marching (he was no good at that, flat feet apparently)

walking on a small wall, though don't hold their hand firmly, do it gently otherwise they'll use you to balance

is that the sort of thing you mean? there were lots more exercises

sorry just realised that's probably not what you're after

Thanks for replying. My son has already had help. Infact he was under the local child development centre between the ages of 20 months and almost 6 years old. He is now discharged. Physically his skills aren't brilliant, but he gets by and is happy.

I am thinking about ways of hot housing encouraging a baby's physical development. Ie. I want my baby to be able to control a pencil at the end of reception and be able to run about at the age of two. Its all very well nature taking its course and saying that all children develop at their own rate, but my son's experience was not fun.

Can you take him to tumbletots? That definitely accelerates the motor skills. They take themselves very seriously which ordinarily would be off-putting but in your situation it's pefect.
Starts at crawling age I think.....