Structure of the DNS Pediatric Educational Track
The DNS Pediatric Education Track is a specialized progression for professionals working primarily with children:
DNS Pediatric Educational Track Ground Rules
Pediatric DNS Course – Part 1 (Basic Level)
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization According to Kolar
Course Introduction
This 4-day foundational course introduces participants to the dynamic relationship between neurodevelopment and musculoskeletal function in the pediatric population. Rooted in the principles of developmental kinesiology, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) provides a comprehensive framework for assessment and treatment of infants and young children presenting with postural, motor, or neurological dysfunctions.
Based on the lifelong clinical work and research of Prof. Pavel Kolar and the Prague School of Rehabilitation, this course offers in-depth practical training and theoretical knowledge tailored for pediatric therapists.
Learning Objectives – Pediatric DNS Level 1
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Upon Completion
Participants will be equipped to:
Optional Examination – Path to Certification
Participants pursuing certification may take the DNS Pediatric 1 Test, which includes:
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for:
Pediatric DNS Course – Level 2 (Intermediate Level)
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization According to Kolar
Course Introduction
The DNS Pediatric Level 2 Course builds upon the foundational concepts introduced in Part 1. This 4-day intermediate course is designed for clinicians who work with children from infancy to early school age, particularly those presenting with postural and movement dysfunctions such as scoliosis, poor posture, lower extremity malalignments, and developmental coordination disorders.
The course combines theoretical knowledge and intensive hands-on practice to enhance the clinical skills of pediatric therapists. Participants will expand their understanding of ontogenesis, refine their assessment abilities, and apply DNS principles to higher developmental and differentiated functional positions in toddlers and preschool-aged children.
Participants will:
Revisit and deepen understanding of developmental kinesiology and ontogenesis
Differentiate between physiological and pathological development through clinical case reviews
Accurately assess the developmental age using live baby demonstrations
Apply DNS principles to the assessment and treatment of:
Poor posture and scoliosis
Lower limb dysfunctions (e.g. tiptoeing, in-toeing, anteversion, genu valgum/varum, flat feet)
Children with DCD and dyspraxia
Conduct DNS-based assessments in higher developmental positions
Understand the developmental milestones between ages 2 to 6 years
Implement corrective DNS exercises in prone, supine, quadruped, high kneeling, tripod, and squat
Perform advanced baby handling techniques for children over 7 months of age
Utilize pediatric outcome measures including MABC, PDMS, TUG, and 6MWT
Guide parent education and reinforce DNS strategies for home carryover
Participants will be able to:
Conduct developmentally informed assessments in both infants and older children
Recognize and treat postural and locomotor dysfunctions through DNS principles
Confidently perform hands-on baby handling and corrective exercises in higher developmental positions
Integrate pediatric testing tools into clinical practice for a comprehensive assessment
Provide informed parent education to reinforce carryover and functional gains
All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance issued by the DNS Instructor.
Participants wishing to pursue certification toward becoming a DNS Pediatric Practitioner may opt to complete the Pediatric DNS Part 2 test:
Format: 10 video cases and 10 image-based questions
Task: Describe the developmental age, identify physiological/pathological features, and justify the assessment
Fee: €130 (payable to the Prague School of Rehabilitation)
Deadline: Submit responses within 8 weeks of course completion
Outcome: A Certificate of Achievement will be issued electronically upon successful completion
MPT
Duration: 4 Days | Contact Hours: 24
Timing: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
09:00 – 10:45
Introduction to DNS – terminology, functional joint centration, global motor patterns
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
Ideal stabilization pattern – development, the role of diaphragm, developmental basis of respiration and stabilization
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 15:15
DNS assessment and treatment – postural insufficiencies in older children and adults
15:15 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:30
DNS assessment and treatment – continuation
09:00 – 10:45
Ontogenesis – developmental kinesiology, description of spontaneous motor activity and postural patterns
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
Ontogenesis continued – active exercise in undifferentiated developmental positions
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 15:00
Assessment – primitive reflexes and postural reactivity of infants (workshop with dolls)
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
15:15 – 17:30
Assessment and treatment of infants with asymmetry + video demonstrations
09:00 – 10:45
DNS assessment and treatment – postural insufficiencies in older children and adults
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
DNS assessment and treatment – continuation
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 15:00
Infant handling and therapy
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:40
Patient demo:
Physiological baby (0–6 months)
Physiological baby (7–12 months)
16:40 – 17:30
Active exercise in developmental positions, discussion, closing the day
09:00 – 10:00
Active exercise in developmental positions
10:00 – 11:00
Patient demonstration – child with asymmetry
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee Break
11:15 – 13:00
Principles of DNS treatment – summary and final discussion
Course Agenda – DNS Pediatric Level 2 (Intermediate Level)
Duration: 4 Days | Contact Hours: 24
Timing: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
09:00 – 10:45
Review of developmental kinesiology – ontogenesis
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
Review of assessment in the first year of life – workshop with dolls
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00
Review of DNS tests – workshop
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
15:15 – 17:30
DNS assessment and treatment of higher developmental positions
(Postural insufficiencies in older children and adults)
Discussion and closing the day
09:00 – 10:45
DNS assessment and treatment approach for children with poor posture and scoliosis
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
Corrective exercises for posture and scoliosis
(3M supine and prone, quadruped, low kneeling)
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00
Corrective exercises continued
(Squat, side-lying, oblique sitting)
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:30
Developmental considerations in children aged 2–6 years
16:30 – 17:30
Patient demonstration, discussion, and closing the day
09:00 – 10:45
DNS approach to lower extremity dysfunctions:
Anteverted hip, tiptoeing, in-toeing, genu valgum/varum, flat foot
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
Corrective exercises for hip, knee, and foot dysfunctions
(4.5M prone, side-lying, 6M prone, quadruped – differentiated positions)
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00
Corrective exercises continued
(Oblique sit and transition to quadruped, tripod, high kneeling)
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:40
Advanced baby handling techniques
16:40 – 17:30
Patient demonstration, discussion, and closing the day
09:00 – 10:00
DNS approach to children with DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) and dyspraxia
10:00 – 11:00
Testing modalities in pediatric practice:
MABC, PDMS, TUG, 6MWT
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee Break
11:15 – 13:00
Principles of DNS treatment, summary of baby handling techniques
Final discussion and course closure