Pediatric Motor Impairments in Bozeman

Pediatric Motor Skill & Strength Challenges

Helping Children Develop Strength, Coordination, and Independence

Is your child struggling with balance, coordination, or overall strength? Delays in motor development can affect a child’s ability to play, participate in school activities, and complete everyday tasks. Whether due to low muscle tone, neurological conditions, or developmental delays, early intervention can help children improve their movement, strength, and confidence.

At Root Pediatrics in Bozeman, we provide specialized therapy to help children strengthen their muscles, improve coordination, and develop the motor skills necessary for daily activities.

Signs of Motor Skill & Strength Challenges

Children who experience motor skill difficulties may show signs such as:

  • Delayed milestones like crawling, walking, or jumping
  • Difficulty running, climbing stairs, or maintaining balance
  • Poor coordination in activities like catching, throwing, or kicking
  • Frequent falls or difficulty with playground activities
  • Struggles with tasks requiring hand strength, such as buttoning clothes or holding a pencil
  • Muscle stiffness, weakness, or limited flexibility

How Our Therapy Helps

Our therapy programs are designed to improve a child’s overall movement, coordination, and muscle strength through structured, play-based activities.

Gross Motor Skill Development
  • Improving balance and coordination for walking, running, and jumping
  • Strengthening core muscles for posture and stability
  • Enhancing hand-eye coordination for sports and daily activities
Strength & Endurance Training
  • Building muscle strength to support movement and prevent fatigue
  • Increasing flexibility and range of motion for better mobility
  • Enhancing endurance for physical activities and daily tasks
Fine Motor Skill Improvement
  • Strengthening hand muscles for writing, grasping, and using utensils
  • Improving dexterity for self-care tasks like dressing and using buttons or zippers
  • Enhancing precision and control for school-related activities

Why Early Intervention Matters

Motor skill challenges can affect a child’s ability to participate in everyday activities and social interactions. Early support can:

  • Improve movement and coordination for play and physical activities
  • Increase strength and endurance for greater independence
  • Reduce frustration with tasks that require fine motor control
  • Boost confidence in trying new activities and engaging with peers

Get Support for Your Child Today

If your child struggles with motor skills, strength, or coordination, professional therapy can help. At Root Pediatrics, we provide targeted strategies to help children move, play, and participate with confidence.

Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and support your child’s physical development.

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Jannet Т

Great place for pediatric rehab!
А very good place for the rehabilitation of children! New, beautiful space, plenty of room for classes! My child really liked Hannah, found an approach to her! I recommend it to…

Michael H

Love that they have all specialties under one roof!
Pediatric OT, PT and Speech Therapy all available at the same location. Professional, experienced and joyful care specifically tailored for babies and children. Everyone here has excelled at connecting with…

Kezia Peterson

MOTR/L

Owner, Occupational Therapist

Kezia Peterson is an Occupational Therapist and founder of Root Therapy & Wellness. As a result of multiple car accidents, resulting in chronic back and neck pain, as well as migraines and vision concerns, she understands this impact that this has on an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities, as well as work and play, and the mental challenges that can result from coping with pain on a daily basis.

Her understanding of pain has led her to pursue multiple different modalities of training, with the goal of helping her patients by meeting them where they are at, understanding their goals, and ensuring that they have the best team of providers to help them get to the root of their dysfunction in order to allow their systems to achieve healing from every level possible.

Clinical Focus Areas:

  • Upper extremity injuries
    • Hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder pain
    • Fractures
    • Arthritis
    • Sprains / Strains
  • Chronic pain
    • CRPS – Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
    • Back/neck
    • Headaches / Migraines / Concussions
    • Abdominal pain

Education & Training

  • B.S in Psychology, North Dakota State University, 2003
  • M.S. in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, 2009
  • Visceral Manipulation [VM1, VM2, VM3, VM4]
  • Myofascial Release
  • Craniosacral therapy [CS1, CS2]
  • Somato Emotional Practitioner Certification
  • Kezia is currently undertaking the certification process to become an SEP – a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. This allows for her to support her patients in moving on from past traumas that may be contributing to their inability to move past pain patterns. She will complete her advanced level training and earn her certification in January 2024.