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Rehabilitation in daily life: practicing without 'sessions'

Checked: 10 August 2026 Cerebral palsy

Dressing, eating, playing — it's all therapy too, with a slightly different approach.

Short answer

Ten minutes of exercises a day can't compensate for a whole day of awkward positions — and vice versa: good positioning and involving your child in daily life work around the clock. Show your everyday situations to the specialist and ask how to improve them.

What you can do

  1. Let your child do what's within their power, even slowly: hold a spoon, help get dressed.
  2. Mind symmetry: offer toys to the right and left hand in turn.
  3. Change positions during the day: sitting, lying on the tummy, standing with support — as your specialist allows.
  4. Turn exercises into play: reach for a toy, move objects, 'help' tidy up.
Important:Your home program should be confirmed by a rehabilitation specialist — with CP, wrong loads can do harm.

Source: Positioning and everyday therapy principles for CP