The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT Podcast Por Sarah Collins arte de portada

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

De: Sarah Collins
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The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. Sarah Collins, your host, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school. Sarah Collins has experienced occupational therapy by supporting families for over 15 years but also through seeking out support for her own children- so, she's right there in the trenches with you. Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of this podcast is to explain some of the "why" behind what an occupational therapist is thinking so you can artfully apply it to your own family especially with executive functioning, handwriting, and sensory processing. Each episode will be packed with practical tips, expert interviews, and real-life stories aimed at helping you create a supportive learning environment for your child.2024
Episodios
  • When Kids Can't Sit Still: Understanding What Their Bodies Are Telling You

    When Kids Can't Sit Still: Understanding What Their Bodies Are Telling You
    Mar 12 2026
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! d your child running, climbing, or crashing into things and wondered why movement seems to settle them rather than wind them up, this episode will get you thinking differently about what's driving that behavior. Today we're digging into proprioception—the often-overlooked sense that helps your child feel grounded, focused, and safe in their body. In the homeschool environment, you have the flexibility to adapt routines and learning spaces, but it can be hard to tell the difference between excess energy and your child's genuine need for sensory input. We'll unpack what proprioception really is, how it organizes both behavior and attention, and the subtle ways it shows up throughout your day—from breakfast routines to transitions and mealtimes. You'll learn why supporting this sense on purpose makes academic tasks easier and reduces power struggles—especially for children who struggle to sit still, stay on task, or manage big feelings. In this episode you'll hear about: Clear definition of Proprioception (with reference to the American Occupational Therapy Association – AOTA)Explanation of how proprioception works (muscles, joints, tendons, pressure, compression, stretching)Importance in everyday activities (e.g., holding objects, navigating steps, estimating force)Contrasting Proprioception and Vestibular SystemDefinition and function of the vestibular system (AOTA reference)How vestibular is the body's "GPS for movement"Key differences and interplay between the two systemsPractical Example: Tree ClimbingBreakdown of how both sensory systems work during tree climbingProprioceptive roles (grip, force, balance, stability)Vestibular roles (detecting upward movement, changes in balance/orientation)The Impact of Proprioceptive InputDeep muscle/joint input as calming and organizingWhy activities like tree climbing can regulate the nervous systemPractical Guidance for Parents & FamiliesRecognizing when children seek proprioceptive input (climbing, crashing, running)Rethinking discipline: supporting regulation needs vs. correcting behaviorsIntegrating Proprioception into the DayMorning routines and the benefits of early proprioceptive inputPractical sensory activities (carrying, pushing, wall push-ups, chair push-downs, resistance bands)Improved transitions to academic workProprioception Around MealtimesAddressing challenges like movement/chewing at mealsStrategies: involving kids in food prep, offering chewy/crunchy foods for oral inputOutcomes: better postural stability and engagementUsing Proprioception for Smoother TransitionsWhy transitions are dysregulatingIncorporating start-and-stop proprioceptive activities (e.g., obstacle courses, "mommy races")Group activities and teamwork (e.g., carrying bins, holding doors)Supporting Learning and AttentionImportance of body regulation for sustained attentionAssessing physical supports (e.g., foot support, alternative seating)Flexible learning setups in homeschooling (e.g., steps, couch, pillows, movement breaks) Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Sensory Activities Guide HereWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers How Sensory Processing Issues Affect Kids In School Implications of Sensory Processing and Attentional Differences Associated With Autism in Academic Settings: An Integrative ReviewCheck Out Our Title Sponsor CTC MathCTC Math Free TrialEpisode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara KosinskiEpisode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better HandwritingEpisode 29: Parenting with Co-Regulation Episode 61: Mindful Moments: Supporting Focus and Calm in Children Episode 72: Navigating Sensory Needs and Sibling Dynamics in Homeschooling Episode 75: Building Lifelong Healthy Habits One Simple Step at a Time: Encouragement for Homeschool Families Episode 81: Navigating Social Pressures, Masking, and Expectations Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here.
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    29 m
  • The Emotional Power of Family Reading: Fostering Vocabulary and Connection

    The Emotional Power of Family Reading: Fostering Vocabulary and Connection
    Feb 26 2026
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! If you've ever wondered whether reading aloud to your kids really matters once they're past the early years—or found yourself worrying that reading together is becoming stressful or too focused on performance and skill—this episode is for you. Today, we're exploring how read-alouds shift as children grow, and why this tradition remains deeply relevant for homeschool families at every stage. You'll hear honest observations on how shared story time builds not just vocabulary, but emotional connection, family culture, and a sense of roots—regardless of how well your child reads or how old they are. In this episode you'll hear about: How perspectives and priorities shift as children grow older.The difference between connecting with peers in similar life stages and seeking mentorship from those ahead.The unique challenges of finding relevant mentorship as times and educational requirements change.The ongoing value of shared experiences in parenting and homeschooling.Mentorship and Community in HomeschoolingReading Aloud as a Family TraditionFoundation and evolution of reading aloud in the Johnston family.Using stories to explore heritage, diversity, and family background.Sharing stories as a communal learning experience.The Role of Reading Aloud in Family ConnectionThe continued importance of reading aloud, including with teens, even as participation shifts.Shared Language, Family Lexicon, and Vocabulary DevelopmentThe benefits of reading aloud for both parents and children, including pronunciation and vocabulary acquisition.Language Processing and Learning DifferencesAddressing Reading Challenges and ExpectationsAdvice for parents whose children are averse to reading independently.Navigating Changes as Children Gain Reading IndependenceEmotions and dynamics when kids begin reading independently and the parent is no longer central.The need for parents to adjust and expand the types of books shared aloud with older kids.Handling feelings of being left out as children have new experiences and knowledge.Knowing When to Abandon BooksSituations where it's okay to stop reading a book that isn't resonating with the family.The balance between persistence and letting go of unenjoyable reads. Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Companion Guide For Why Reading Is Hard And What To Do About ItWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers Check Out Our Title Sponsor LoveveryLearning RX WebsiteEpisode 8: Kaleb's StoryEpisode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling PerspectiveEpisode 10: Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive FunctioningEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy BodkinEpisode 12: Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning Episode 44: Prioritizing Slow in Homeschooling: A chat with Leslie Martino Episode 72: Navigating Sibling Sensory Needs and Homeschooling Wins and Fails Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here. Connect With Our Guest Amber O'Neal Johnston Amber O'Neal Johnston is an author, speaker, and world schooling mama who curates a life-giving, culturally rich home education for her four children—and encourages others to do the same. She champions the use of books and lessons that reflect the lived experiences of children and introduce them to lives and cultures beyond their own, offering both "mirrors and windows" through the power of story. She is the author of A Place to Belong, a guide for raising kids to celebrate their heritage, community, and the world, and Soul School, a masterfully curated collection of booklists that explore the fullness of the Black American cultural experience. Amber is also the editor of Homegrown, a collaborative work offering guidance and inspiration for navigating the homeschooling journey.
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    32 m
  • Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life

    Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life
    Feb 12 2026
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Download The Companion Guide For Why Reading Is Hard And What To Do About It If you've ever wondered why reading feels so different from day to day in your homeschool—why one lesson is smooth and the next is an uphill climb—this episode is for you. Today, we're looking at the five pillars of literacy from a more connected, practical lens. Instead of treating phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as isolated skills, I'll show you how each one is woven into a child's sensory world, routines, and relationships and why that makes all the difference in homeschooling. We'll talk about environments that invite learning, habits that build confidence, and the subtle reasons a child's body and brain might resist or lean into reading. This approach matters because homeschool parents see the full picture academic progress and daily life blend together. Recognizing the signs beneath reading struggles lets you reframe tough moments, offer the right support, and help literacy grow in ways that feel meaningful and sustainable for your family. In this episode you'll hear about: The Five Pillars of LiteracyOverview of each pillarCharlotte Mason's Educational PhilosophyConnection between Mason's philosophy and the five literacy pillarsDescription of a learning-rich home environmentEducation as DisciplineEducation as LifeImportance of connecting reading to passions and curiosityIntegrating Occupational Therapy (OT) PerspectiveUnderstanding the "Person" (Child)Understanding the "Environment"Understanding the "Occupation" (Task of Reading)Applying OT and Mason's Approach to Each Literacy PillarPhonemic AwarenessWhy movement helps learning soundsPhonicsFluencyVocabularyComprehensionAddressing Broader Reading ChallengesDistinguishing skill deficits from motivation or intelligenceEncouragement for parents: challenges often relate to supportable systems Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Companion Guide For Why Reading Is Hard And What To Do About ItWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersWhere To Get OTCheck Out These Montessori LettersCheck Out The Scooter BoardStomp Stilts Mentioned In The EpisodeKnow And Tell: The Art Of NarrationCheck Out Our BlogEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior In Homeschooling- Sensory Overwhelm, Emotional Control, PerseveranceEpisode 5: Beyond 20/20 vision: understanding crucial aspects of visual assessment in children Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara KosinskiEpisode 25: Understanding Hippotherapy: Therapeutic Equestrian Activities for Children's DevelopmentEpisode 37: Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children Episode 58: Practical Tips for handwriting- how to know and what to do if the issue is motor planning Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for FamiliesEpisode 66: Building Connection Through Language Episode 71: When the Diagnosis Isn't the Destination: Encouragement for Parents Navigating Neurodiversity Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their products and resources here.
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    32 m
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