Research estimates that as many as 1 in 6 children experience developmental delay. Yet, many children with developmental delays are not identified before age 10. Early intervention with therapy can help children with early motor delays master basic life skills that might otherwise remain unattainable. Current research has shown that the greatest period of neuroplasticity occurs between 0-3 years of age. During the first year of life, the human brain doubles in size. This growth is fueled by the development of 700-1000 neural connections every second. Therefore, taking advantage of this neuroplasticity during the first three years of life is critical to assuring every child reaches their maximum potential. Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) play a key role in detecting early motor delays and managing infants at risk.

Evidence suggests that early motor delays can result from a lack of time spent in the prone position. Infants that are not encouraged to participate in Tummy Time have a greater incidence of motor deficits and conditions such as positional plagiocephaly and positional torticollis. Additionally, a recent cohort study demonstrated that as many as 46.6% of babies between 7-12 weeks of age had positional plagiocephaly, suggesting more parental education on preventing plagiocephaly is needed. Tummy Time is essential in maximizing outcomes for children and encourages them to build neck, back, and shoulder strength. Yet parents are not given specifics on how to perform Tummy Time and have little understanding of its importance. A 2010 study in the Journal of Pediatrics found 90% of new parents leaving the hospital are told how to position their baby while asleep, but only 55% of parents are told how to position their baby during awake/play time.

As advocates for children, it is important to educate nurse practitioners on techniques that will assist in amplifying their clinical skills to detect early signs of motor delays and give them tools to help communicate the importance of Tummy Time with parents. The earlier developmental deficits are identified, the earlier children can receive therapy and improve outcomes.

Manion is an Advance Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of pediatric clinical experience. During her doctoral studies at Loyola University, she researched the comorbidities of obesity and asthma and their affects on quality of life.

Dr. Manion has presented her research nationally as well as internationally. She is also a medical round table member for Pathways Awareness, which provides families and health care professionals worldwide with information and resources to help children achieve their full potential. Her research interest include obesity, asthma, quality of life, breastfeeding, and gun violence.

Dr. Manion has done medical volunteer work in Belize, Central America and Ghana, West Africa.