Physical Therapy Students Host Annual Baby Day

On October 3, 2025, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program once again hosted its highly anticipated Baby Day. This annual event brings classroom learning to life through real-world experiences with pediatric patients. This experiential learning opportunity enables students to observe and engage with children across various early developmental stages, an essential component of understanding the foundations of pediatric physical therapy.

Purpose and Learning Experience

Baby Day offers physical therapy students the opportunity to assess gross and fine motor development, observe reflexes, and gain a deeper understanding of how children grow, move, and learn. Through guided play and observation, students interacted with children ranging in age from just a few weeks old to five years, encouraging them to perform functional activities such as sitting, rolling, crawling, and jumping.

This hands-on experience enables students to apply pediatric outcome measures in real-time, thereby strengthening their ability to identify developmental milestones and understand variations in movement patterns. Many students also practiced estimating children's ages based on their motor skills, a fun yet educational challenge that sharpens clinical observation skills.

Beyond motor skills, the event also highlights the impact of family dynamics and cultural practices on development. Students reflected on how these factors shape movement, behavior, and participation, reinforcing the importance of individualized, culturally sensitive care.

About Physical Therapy at Saint Francis University

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Saint Francis University combines rigorous academic preparation with Franciscan values, emphasizing compassion, service, and evidence-based care. Recognized for excellence, SFU's DPT graduates hold the highest first-time pass rates in Pennsylvania on the National Physical Therapy Exam and achieve 100% job placement within six months of graduation, with personalized faculty mentorship, state-of-the-art facilities, and extensive clinical experiences. For more information, click here!