Learning to read starts long before a child picks up a book. In this episode, occupational therapist Sarah Collins and literacy specialist Melanie Jeffrey discuss how phonemic awareness forms the foundation for reading success and share practical ways homeschool parents can build early literacy skills through meaningful, play-based experiences.
Homeschooling parents live in the space where support and expectation meet. When our children struggle to get started on a lesson, complete a routine, or manage a transition, frustration often bubbles up—for them and for us. It is tempting to wonder, “Is this a motivation problem, a behavioral choice, or a deeper developmental obstacle?” Occupational…
Why does your child understand a lesson one moment but forget the directions the next? Working memory in children affects everything from following multi-step directions to math and reading comprehension. In this episode of The OT Is In Podcast, Sarah Collins and cognitive trainer Sandra Zamalis explain how working memory affects learning, signs your child may be struggling, and ways to support working memory at home.
Homeschooling often puts parents in the position of making daily decisions about what to hold onto and what to adapt. Handwriting is one of those decisions, especially as tools like speech-to-text, AI, and digital writing become more accessible. In Episode 93 of The OT Is In, I sit down with Leslie Catlett, occupational therapist and founder…
Handwriting is more than pencil grip and practice. This OT-informed guide explains why children struggle with handwriting, what legibility really means, and how to build skills at home without frustration.
Homeschooling is not just about choosing the right curriculum. It is about creating a home environment where your child can focus, regulate, and participate in learning. For many families, the biggest challenges are not academic. They show up as constant movement, difficulty sitting still, sibling conflict, or a day that feels full of friction instead…
An Occupational Therapist
explains proprioception and why kids need movement to regulate their nervous system—plus practical ideas for homeschool families.
Homeschool parents carry the unique role of supporting both learning and connection at home. Read alouds may seem simple on the surface, but they often become one of the most powerful rhythms in a family’s day. From an occupational therapy perspective, reading together creates a natural kind of support that helps children grow into new…
If reading has felt harder than you expected in your homeschool, you are not alone.Many parents assume that more phonics, more practice, or more effort will solve the problem. Sometimes those things help. But often, the real issue is not motivation or intelligence. It is the fit between your child, the environment, and the task. to frustration?…
Many families come to homeschooling because something felt off. Learning may have been stressful, days felt heavy, or your child just did not seem to thrive in traditional educational settings. When homeschool days feel hard, it is natural to start searching for solutions. A new curriculum, a different schedule, or a program that promises things…