Carolina Kinder Development

Carolina Kinder Development Pediatric physical, occupational, speech & feeding therapies. Head shape and cranial banding

Locations in Elizabeth/Myers Park and South Charlotte:
341 N Caswell Road, Charlotte NC 28204
7300 Carmel Executive Park Drive Suite 125, Charlotte, NC 28226

If your baby has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, you may have heard the term cranial band—but what e...
01/12/2026

If your baby has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, you may have heard the term cranial band—but what exactly does it do?

A cranial band (sometimes called a helmet) is a lightweight, custom-made orthotic device that gently guides your baby’s head toward a more typical shape as they grow.

It’s not squeezing or forcing change—it’s creating space where the head needs to grow and helping redirect growth in a healthy, balanced way.

At Carolina Kinder Development, our therapists manage the entire process in-house:

✔️ Head shape evaluation
✔️ Custom fitting and monitoring
✔️ Therapy to address the root causes (like movement asymmetries or torticollis)
✔️ Parent education and ongoing support

The result? A more balanced head shape and stronger movement foundations.

💬 Have questions about whether a cranial band might be right for your baby? We’re here to walk you through it—with calm, expert care from day one.

How Feeding and Speech Skills Are Connected 🧠👅🗣️Feeding and speech may seem like separate concerns—but they actually sha...
01/10/2026

How Feeding and Speech Skills Are Connected 🧠👅🗣️

Feeding and speech may seem like separate concerns—but they actually share a lot of the same muscles and movement patterns!
Every time your child chews, swallows, or moves food around their mouth, they’re also strengthening the same systems that support speech.

Here’s how they’re connected:

🥄 Chewing helps develop jaw stability and tongue control
💧 Swallowing involves coordinated breath control and muscle timing
🗣️ Tongue movement is key for both managing food and producing clear speech sounds

That’s why, at Carolina Kinder Development, our speech-language pathologists also support feeding development—especially during that critical 6–18 month window when eating and speaking skills are both growing fast.

Not sure if your child’s feeding or speech patterns are where they should be? We’re here to help you sort it out—with calm, expert support and a plan that fits your family.

Before ➡️ After: Head Shape Progress Worth Celebrating 🧠💙This incredible transformation didn’t happen overnight—but with...
01/06/2026

Before ➡️ After: Head Shape Progress Worth Celebrating 🧠💙

This incredible transformation didn’t happen overnight—but with early support, consistent therapy, and parent partnership, meaningful change is possible.

At Carolina Kinder Development, we address the why behind a baby’s head shape concerns—not just the shape itself.

That means:
✔️ Identifying movement preferences or muscle tightness
✔️ Supporting rolling, tummy time, and other foundational skills
✔️ Fitting and managing cranial bands (when needed) in-house
✔️ Empowering parents with tools and confidence every step of the way

This before-and-after isn’t just about symmetry—it’s about stronger movement, better alignment, and a clearer path forward for development.

💬 Wondering if your baby’s head shape is typical or needs a second look? We’re here to help—with calm, clarity, and expert care.

This child is rocking their cranial band like a champ—and we couldn’t be more proud!Cranial helmets (or cranial bands) a...
01/02/2026

This child is rocking their cranial band like a champ—and we couldn’t be more proud!

Cranial helmets (or cranial bands) are just one of the tools we use at Carolina Kinder Development to gently guide head shape and support healthy development. Behind every band is a baby working hard… and a family showing up with love, patience, and trust.

Fun fact: babies adapt to helmets so quickly—what feels like a big adjustment at first becomes just another part of the routine. And the results? Totally worth celebrating. ✨

Here’s to strong progress, sweet smiles, and rounder futures ahead!

Rolling is one of the first big milestones in your baby’s motor development—and it’s a building block for everything tha...
12/30/2025

Rolling is one of the first big milestones in your baby’s motor development—and it’s a building block for everything that comes next!

💡 So, when does it typically happen?

➡️ Rolling: around 3–6 months

But just like everything in development, there’s a range—and what matters most is that your baby is making progress toward these skills.

Rolling helps build:

✔️ Core strength
✔️ Coordination
✔️ Body awareness
✔️ The foundation for sitting, crawling, and more

Not seeing rolling yet? Some babies need a little extra support to get there—and that’s where we come in. At Carolina Kinder Development, our therapists can help you understand your baby’s movement patterns and offer gentle, effective ways to support their progress.

💬 Wondering if your baby’s rolling is on track? Reach out. We’re here to help you feel confident at every milestone.

Let’s Talk Head Shape 🧠✨ (Yes, Really!)Flat spots? Asymmetry? We get it—it might not be the first thing you expected to ...
12/27/2025

Let’s Talk Head Shape 🧠✨ (Yes, Really!)

Flat spots? Asymmetry? We get it—it might not be the first thing you expected to worry about as a parent… but head shape development is more important (and more common!) than you think.

The good news?

✔️ Baby skulls are naturally soft and moldable
✔️ Flat spots are often preventable and treatable
✔️ With early support, we can guide things back on track—gently and effectively

At Carolina Kinder Development, we help parents understand:

🛏️ How positioning affects head shape
🔁 Why movement patterns matter
🎓 And when a little extra help (like therapy or a cranial band) might be needed

Because this stage doesn’t last forever—but the benefits of early intervention do.

💬 Not sure if your baby’s head shape is typical? We’re happy to take a look—no pressure, just answers.

Tummy Time With Carolina Kinder Development 👶💙Tummy time doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—especially when you have the ...
12/22/2025

Tummy Time With Carolina Kinder Development 👶💙

Tummy time doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—especially when you have the right tools, guidance, and support.

At Carolina Kinder Development, our approach to tummy time is more than just placing babies on the floor. We focus on creating purposeful, personalized, and parent-supported experiences that help babies build strength, comfort, and confidence.

Here’s what sets our approach apart:
✨ Personalized Sessions tailored to your baby’s needs
📚 Educational Workshops that empower parents with hands-on strategies
🤝 A Supportive Community of therapists and families walking the journey together

Tummy time is foundational to so many milestones—from rolling to crawling to building strong head and neck control. And we’re here to guide you through every step.

💬 Curious if your baby’s tummy time is on track? Check out our Tummy Time and More classes!

What It’s Like to Work with Carolina Kinder Development 💙From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll notice we do...
12/19/2025

What It’s Like to Work with Carolina Kinder Development 💙

From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll notice we do things differently.

We believe that early intervention should feel empowering, not overwhelming. That therapy should be rooted in both clinical expertise and compassion. And that families deserve to feel seen, supported, and informed—every step of the way.

Here’s what you can expect when working with us:

✨ A calm, welcoming environment (no noisy, overstimulating therapy rooms)
✨ Licensed therapists who specialize in infants and toddlers
✨ A whole-child approach—because head shape, feeding, movement, and development are all connected
✨ Education for parents, so you feel confident supporting your child at home
✨ Clear communication, personalized care plans, and zero pressure

What makes us different?
We’re not just checking boxes. We’re helping families navigate early concerns with clarity, warmth, and intention.

Whether you're here for head shape, tummy time, feeding, or motor milestones—you’re not just getting therapy. You’re gaining a partner in your parenting journey.

💬 Want to know if we’re the right fit for your family? Reach out—we’d love to connect.

Tiny patients, big holiday spirit! 🎁✨We’re jingling and giggling all the way through the season 🎄🧸
12/17/2025

Tiny patients, big holiday spirit! 🎁✨
We’re jingling and giggling all the way through the season 🎄🧸

When Should Rolling Happen—And How Do We Help It Along? 🔄👶Rolling is one of the first big milestones in your baby’s moto...
12/16/2025

When Should Rolling Happen—And How Do We Help It Along? 🔄👶

Rolling is one of the first big milestones in your baby’s motor development—and it lays the foundation for so many others.

💡 So, when does rolling typically begin?
Babies usually start rolling from tummy to back around 3–5 months, and from back to tummy between 5–6 months. But remember: every baby develops at their own pace!

If your baby isn’t showing interest in rolling yet, don’t stress—there are gentle ways to help:

✔️ Tummy time: Short, frequent sessions build the strength needed for rolling
✔️ Side-lying play: Great for practicing weight shifting
✔️ Use toys or your voice to encourage looking and reaching across midline
✔️ Minimize container time (like swings or bouncers) to allow for more free movement

At Carolina Kinder Development, we help babies reach milestones like rolling with confidence—and guide parents with strategies you can use at home.

💙 Unsure if your baby is on track? We’re always here to take a look and support you wherever you are in the journey.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy (and Who Needs It?) 👅💬Myofunctional therapy is a specialized type of therapy that focuses ...
12/14/2025

What Is Myofunctional Therapy (and Who Needs It?) 👅💬

Myofunctional therapy is a specialized type of therapy that focuses on how the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue work together for breathing, swallowing, and speaking. Think of it as physical therapy—but for your mouth!

At Carolina Kinder Development, we use myofunctional therapy to help children who struggle with:

👃 Mouth breathing or open-mouth posture
😴 Snoring or restless sleep
🍽️ Tongue thrust or messy eating
💦 Excessive drooling that continues beyond teething
🗣️ Difficulty making certain speech sounds
👄 Poor tongue posture or low muscle tone
💡 Many families come to us concerned about ongoing drooling or open-mouth posture—especially when it affects eating, speaking, or comfort.

These signs can signal an underlying muscle pattern that myofunctional therapy can gently help correct.

Through fun, targeted exercises and therapist-led care, we help retrain the oral and facial muscles to function the way they’re meant to—supporting clearer speech, stronger feeding, and healthier habits long-term.

💬 Wondering if your child might benefit? We’re happy to take a look.

👣 Shoe Tips for Babies + ToddlersChoosing your baby’s first pair of shoes? We’ve got you covered.Here’s what we recommen...
12/13/2025

👣 Shoe Tips for Babies + Toddlers
Choosing your baby’s first pair of shoes? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s what we recommend at Carolina Kinder Development to support healthy foot and motor development:

1️⃣ Barefoot is best (when safe!)
Bare feet = better balance, coordination, and sensory feedback.

2️⃣ Flexible + lightweight
Shoes should bend easily and allow natural foot movement. Look for a “semi-flexible sole” and avoid converse-like soles.

3️⃣ No built-in arch support needed
Flat feet are developmentally normal in little ones.

4️⃣ Considering high top shoes?
These can be good options for our babies who have flatter feet and sometimes this can help with delayed walkers. Ask your PT more info!

Then lets take out the bend in half part (those actually aren’t my favorite)

5️⃣ Snug, but not tight
A secure heel + room to wiggle those toes is key!

💡 Pro Tip: If you can fold and twist the shoe easily in your hands, it's likely a good pick.

Still unsure? Bring the shoes to your next session—our therapists are always happy to help.

Address

Two Locations: Elizabeth/Myers Park And South Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
28204

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 4pm
Wednesday 7am - 4pm
Thursday 7am - 4pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+17043797773

Website

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Carolina Kinder Development

Welcome to Carolina Kinder Development. We are a specialty pediatric therapy practice devoted to the head shape, orthopedic, and developmental needs of infants through the early years. We are experts at the prevention and treatment of torticollis, plagiocephaly, and brachycephaly. We also are experts with lagging development and early infant and childhood feeding

Our services include: Pediatric Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Developmental, CST, Feeding Therapy, Cranial bands and Speech Therapy. We also have developmental classes and videos and clinical education.

We have two locations, one in the Elizabeth neighborhood near Uptown Charlotte and a second location in Waxhaw. For more information, visit our website at carolinakinderdevelopment.com or call 704-379-7773.