POTSDAM -- When students in Clarkson University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program study human motor development, they start at the beginning, with the most accurate examples possible -- babies.

The infants demonstrate a variety of natural reflexes, allowing students get to see firsthand how the little ones move and develop motor skills, and how these differ at various ages, said program chair George Fulk.

“We use a problem-based-learning curriculum model. Our classes are built around cases,” said Fulk. “Students work in small groups or in tutorials with faculty members, so they learn how to ask the right questions, find information and apply what they have learned to patient cases. A lot of direct patient care is integrated into our program and we introduce students to a wide variety of clinical scenarios.”

“We've had 'Baby Day' here for quite a while. During their first semester, students learn about how people develop across the life span, and the babies provide great examples of early motor development,” Fulk said. “By watching the babies, students can see how infants develop motor skills, the normal movement patterns most children follow, and reflex milestones to note. The information helps the students understand how people can relearn motor patterns after an injury.”

To get a peek at the babies teaching the Clarkson University students, check out the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKUkWVVxlQ&feature=youtu.be.