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The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

Auteur(s): Sarah Collins
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À propos de cet audio

 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
Épisodes
  • Balancing Acceptance and Expectation: Building Executive Functioning in Homeschooling and Parenting

    Balancing Acceptance and Expectation: Building Executive Functioning in Homeschooling and Parenting
    Jan 8 2026
    Download The Companion Guide For Acceptance & Expectancy In Homeschooling Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! This week we're exploring one of the most profound tensions parents face: finding the balance between fully accepting our children as they are, and encouraging them to stretch, grow, and gain independence. Drawing on neuroscience, executive functioning research, and real-life stories, I'll unpack why kids need opportunities to try, make mistakes, and try again, and how this very process helps their brains develop resilience and problem-solving skills. You'll learn about the "just right challenge," the science of how our brains learn from errors, and practical strategies for scaffolding your child's growth in daily homeschool life. From supporting hesitant writers, to helping kids take on chores and navigate perfectionism, I'll provide OT-friendly guidance you can apply today. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler, a new parent, or somewhere in between, this episode offers both encouragement and actionable tools for nurturing independence, persistence, and confidence in your children. In this episode you'll hear about: Acceptance vs. Expectation in Parenting and HomeschoolingDefinition of acceptance: seeing children truly as they are now (sensory needs, executive functioning, emotional capacities)Definition of expectation: envisioning and believing in children's potential to stretch and growThe importance of balancing both for genuine child developmentKey Book Reference: Gretchen Rubin's "My Life in Five Senses"How the book's message applies to understanding and loving childrenParenting Challenges: Finding the BalanceThe need for balance for healthy growth and executive function developmentNeuroscience of Mistakes & LearningHow trial and error fosters executive skills (sequencing, planning, problem solving)Introduction to "error related negativity" (ERN) and "error positivity component" (PE)Physiology of mistake-driven learning and lifelong neuroplasticityHow Mistakes Fuel Learning & Executive FunctioningMistakes indicate active brain learning not failureImportance of applying neuroscience and OT principles at homeEmotional regulation and executive skills needed to cope with imperfectionStep-by-step modeling: starting imperfectly, co-regulating, collaborative effort, and gradual independenceAccepting where both child and parent are in the learning processCelebrating effort, process, and small steps forwardReminding parents progress is not always linear—growth happens in tiny stepsChoosing one area to support (writing, chores, routines, etc.)Questions for reflection: What does acceptance and expectation look like here?Identifying the current stage of gradual release for a childAllowing productive struggle and celebrating process over product Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Companion Guide For Acceptance & Expectancy In HomeschoolingWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGFree Trial of CTC MathHalf Priced Homeschool Discount- CTC MathThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersHomeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning GuideMind Your Errors: Evidence for a Neural Mechanism Linking Growth Mind-Set to Adaptive Posterror AdjustmentsEpisode 7: Form DrawingEpisode 8: Kaleb's Story Episode 56: Nurturing Young Minds Through WritingEpisode 66: Declarative Language Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. Please enjoy a FREE TRIAL of CTC math from The Homeschool OT, and after your free trial enjoy half price homeschoolers discount here.
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    33 min
  • From Checklists to Flexibility: Helping Kids Plan Their Day

    From Checklists to Flexibility: Helping Kids Plan Their Day
    Nov 20 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! I sat down with Pam Barnhill—longtime homeschooler, former classroom teacher, and podcasting inspiration—for an insightful conversation about fostering independence and planning skills in homeschooled kids. Pam shares her own homeschooling journey, from her early days teaching preschool at home to launching her teens into work studies and career paths. Together we discuss the ups and downs of raising independent learners, offering practical tips for developing planning muscles, navigating different organizational styles, and supporting kids with unique needs, like dyslexia. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with relatable stories, honest reflections, and actionable ideas to help your family thrive. In this episode you'll hear about: Pam introduces herself, mentioning her background as a former classroom teacher and her journey as a homeschool mom.Discussion about learning alongside children and how homeschooling has been enriching for both parents and kids.Learning Through HomeschoolingPam's experience homeschooling her children from preschool through high school.The concept of "redeeming" one's own education as a homeschooling parent.Developing Independence and Planning SkillsThe importance of teaching kids independence in setting up and organizing their school day.The idea that independence is a muscle that needs gradual strengthening, not a switch.Tools and Techniques for PlanningUsing checklists and "Sarah McKenzie's spiral notebook" for tracking daily tasks, even before children can read.Benefits of lists/checklists in reducing decision fatigue for both kids and parents.Transition to weekly lists as kids mature, allowing more flexibility in how kids schedule their work.Adjusting planning approaches for each child based on their preferences and capabilities.Time Management and Overcoming OverwhelmTeaching children to estimate how long tasks will take and tracking actual times.Dealing with "this will take forever" feelings and procrastination.Using timers (e.g., 20-minute work blocks) to encourage focus and reduce overwhelm.The myth of "one right way" for planning and organization; acknowledging various effective approaches. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersExecutive Functioning For Teens Course Social Skills & Executive FunctioningHomeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning GuidePam Barnhill's WebsiteEpisode 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 42: Executive Functioning Skills for Families: Holiday EditionEpisode 67: Setting Up A Homeschool Day Connect With Our Guest, Pam Barnhill Pam Barnhill believes that you don't have to sacrifice relationships to homeschool strong. An award-winning educator, former journalist, and now homeschooling mom, she has a knack for breaking down big tasks into small, manageable steps and getting to the heart of the stories her listeners want to hear. She is the host of the popular podcast Homeschool Better Together and the author of three homeschooling books, including: Better Together: Strengthen Your Family, Simplify Your Homeschool, and Savor the Subjects that Matter Most and Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning for Purpose and Peace. Pam lives in the Deep South with her husband of thirty-one years, three (mostly) awesome kids, and the dog dynamic duo. You can find her online at pambarnhill.com.
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    31 min
  • Breaking Perfectionism: Encouraging Creative Process and Resilience in Art

    Breaking Perfectionism: Encouraging Creative Process and Resilience in Art
    Nov 13 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! I sat down with Ryan, who is a lifelong artist, educator, and founder of faith-based art initiatives, including Shako Art Space, the Maker Institute of Studio Art and Theology, and Made Makers—a K-12 online art curriculum rooted in theology. Ryan shares his inspiring journey from a childhood shaped by art as a means of self-expression and healing, to leading art education at the country's top public art school, and ultimately, designing resources to empower homeschoolers and families everywhere. We explore the profound ways that art influences our brains, builds executive functioning skills like persistence and flexibility, and helps us make meaning from the world around us. We'll dig into why creativity is inherent in all of us, how to nurture it in children (and ourselves!), and embracing the process over perfection—whether your child is pointing to someone else as "the artist" in the room or discovering their own unique spark through baking, building, or problem-solving. Plus, Ryan offers practical advice and fresh perspectives for parents wanting to cultivate expressive, curious, and resilient learners at home. Get ready to rethink what art means—beyond the paintbrush, beyond the outcome, and into the heart of how we learn, grow, and flourish. In this episode you'll hear about: Brief account of Ryan's personal and professional background in artChildhood interest and affirmation in artArt as a coping mechanism in a difficult family environmentEducation (BA, MA, MFA); 17 years teaching at VCUFounding of Shako Art Space, Maker Institute, and Made Makers (Christian art curriculum)Ryan's Perspective on What Art IsChallenging the narrow definition of art as just expression or creativityImportance of combining art, design, and craft as interconnectedArt, design, and craft as pervasive in everyday lifeExamples: design of household objects, typography, music, architectureImagination, Creativity, and the Making ProcessDebunking the myth that only some people are creativeImagination as synthesizing what you know with new possibilitiesCreativity as rooted in prior knowledge and contextEveryday examples of imagination in problem-solving (e.g., pouring coffee, driving)Value of play, risk-taking, and freedom from perfectionism in creative processesSupporting Children's Creativity and Executive FunctioningAddressing perfectionism and its root in self-protection rather than the processThe importance of process over product in creative educationExecutive functioning skills in art: Flexibility, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation, prior knowledge, impulse control, self-monitoringTypical reinforcement of perfectionism in schools (praising realism, narrow definitions of creativity)Broader vision for making and creative knowledge in childrenValue of imparting knowledge as a means of growth and blessing for othersBalancing Structure and Flow in LearningSetting big-picture goals for children's growth each yearUsing larger family and life purposes as reference points to manage structure versus creative flowPractical Tips for Encouraging Creativity at HomeBroadening the definition of art to uncover creativity in various domains Looking for and naming creative behavior in non-traditional areas (baking, engineering, sports, fashion)The Value of Creativity for Today's Children Real-life story: an "at-risk" student flourishes academically through artArt as a serious, knowable subject—not just a freeform activityThe arts as an entry point to learning and self-understandingArt fostering optimism, encouragement, and persistenceBuilding intrinsic knowledge, perseverance, and curiosity for lifelong growth Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersExecutive Functioning For Teens Course Social Skills & Executive Functioning Gratitude Builds Flexibility For Executive FunctionMade Makers Christian Art EducationMaker Institute Of Studio Art And TheologyEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseveranceEpisode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in HomeschoolEpisode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families Episode 46: Navigating Homeschool Priorities with Amy Sloan: From Family Dynamics to Crisis Management Connect With Our Guest, Ryan Lauterio Ryan is a Christian conservative, multi-award-winning studio artist and educator whose work has been recognized with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his induction into the Palmdale High School Hall of Fame. Ryan's professional journey weaves through the dynamic realms of painting, drawing, studio methods, curating, and deeply exploring the intersection of art and theology with over 30 years of experience. Ryan boasts a ...
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    40 min
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