Strengthening Skills through Hands-On Pediatric Taping Training
At The Warren Center, learning never stops. Our therapists are always seeking new ways to expand their knowledge and refine their skills so they can better support the children and families we serve every day.
Recently, several members of The Warren Center therapy team attended a specialized continuing education course titled “Pediatric Therapeutic Taping and Strapping as an Adjunct to Treatment: with Labs.” The course was taught by Patricia (Trish) Martin, PT, CKTI, a highly experienced pediatric therapist and instructor with more than forty years of experience working with children with orthopedic and neurological conditions.
This intensive training focused on the use of therapeutic taping and strapping techniques to support alignment, encourage muscle activation, and help children move more efficiently during daily activities. For pediatric therapists, tools like these can make a meaningful difference in helping children build strength, stability, and functional movement skills.
A Hands-On Learning Experience
What made this course especially valuable was its lab-based format. Rather than simply learning concepts through lecture, participants had the opportunity to practice techniques directly with one another after reviewing the material.
Throughout the training, therapists worked through demonstrations, guided practice sessions, case study discussions, and hands-on labs designed to build confidence with taping and strapping techniques. By experiencing the techniques themselves, participants were able to better understand how these tools feel and function, while also learning how to safely and effectively apply them in clinical practice.
This type of hands-on learning allows therapists to move beyond theory and develop practical skills they can bring directly into therapy sessions.
Connecting Training to Real-World Therapy
During the course, therapists explored how taping and strapping techniques can support improved alignment and muscle re-education in children. The training also reviewed developmental biomechanics, helping therapists better understand how proper alignment supports movement and functional development.
For The Warren Center team, the most valuable part of the training was being able to focus on real situations they encounter with children every day.
Practice sessions included taping and support strategies for common challenges seen in pediatric therapy, including:
- Torticollis
- Oral motor support
- Upper and lower extremity alignment
- Trunk stability and postural control
By working through these examples, therapists were able to directly connect the course material to the children and families they serve in their daily work.
Exploring New Tools and Techniques
The training also introduced a range of materials that therapists can use as adjuncts to treatment. These tools can help provide support while children develop the strength and motor control needed for independent movement.
Some of the materials explored during the course included:
- Rigid strapping tape
- Kinesio Tape®
- Velcro patches with elastic straps
- Fabrifoam
- Compression orthotics such as Thera Togs™, SPIO, Benik, and DMO
These tools can help therapists support proper positioning and alignment while encouraging children to actively engage their muscles and develop stronger movement patterns.
Therapists also reviewed how these techniques can support functional goals such as improving sitting balance, strengthening fine motor skills, supporting gait and mobility, and promoting participation in everyday activities.
Bringing New Knowledge Back to Our Families
Professional development opportunities like this allow The Warren Center therapy team to continue refining their expertise while staying current with evolving treatment approaches in pediatric therapy.
By investing time in continuing education and hands-on learning, our therapists are able to bring new strategies, techniques, and perspectives back into the therapy room. These experiences ultimately benefit the children and families we serve by expanding the tools available to support each child’s individual goals.
At The Warren Center, every milestone matters. Our therapists’ dedication to continuous learning helps ensure that each child receives thoughtful, individualized care designed to support their growth, movement, and independence.
