RLL #238: Building Strong Writers at Home | Insights from Occupational Therapist Sarah Collins
Release Date: 03/27/2024
Nurturing Communication Skills in Your Homeschool
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode of the podcast, we explore the importance of nurturing communication skills at home. From weekly family meetings to a powerful personal story about her daughter Logan's experience with anxiety, Colleen shares invaluable insights on how open dialogue can build stronger relationships and boost children's confidence. Discover how communication entwined with empathy is essential for thriving in today's world, and get tips on fostering these skills in homeschooling and digital environments. Plus, get a sneak peek into next week's topic—the third C, Content! Key...
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Raising Successful Children | The Power of Collaboration in Homeschooling
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode, we explore the importance of collaboration as a foundational skill for our children. From understanding the science behind our social brains to practical homeschooling tips, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring anecdotes. Key Takeaways: The Six Cs:Dive into the six key skills identified by Dr. Kathy Hirsch Pasek—Collaboration, Communication, Content, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Confidence—that foster lifelong learning. Storytime:Listen to Colleen's heartfelt story about her daughter Molly's innovative approach to a homeschool...
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Overcoming Sleep Struggles: Tips for Neurodiverse Families
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this week's episode, we dive deep into a topic that's a challenge for many families: sleep. Whether you're homeschooling neurodivergent kiddos, navigating giftedness, twice-exceptionality, or simply dealing with heightened anxiety, quality sleep is essential—and tricky to achieve. Key Takeaways: Establish Consistent Sleep Routines: Structure is essential for signaling our brains to wind down. Even simple routines like a warm bath, brushing teeth, and reading can make a substantial difference over time. Optimize the Sleep Environment: Tailor the bedroom setup to your child’s...
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Why Play Matters | Unleashing Lifelong Learning Through Play
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode, we dive deep into the power of play and why it matters at every stage of childhood! Whether you're homeschooling or just juggling parenting, incorporating play can ignite a lifelong love of learning and create magical moments of discovery. From mealworm mazes to Viking bread, we explore how playful learning leads to unexpected adventures and lasting knowledge. So, gather your kids, embrace the fun, and let's make learning an exciting journey together! Tune in now and discover practical tips and heartwarming stories that will inspire you to add more play into...
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Sparking Curiosity | Nurturing a Love of Learning in Your Child
Raising Lifelong Learners
In our latest episode, we dive into how to ignite your child's curiosity by exploring topics together, even if it means using Google searches or watching fun educational videos. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and foster a growth mindset by focusing on the process, not just the outcomes. This episode, , offers tips for personalized education, especially for neurodivergent kids. Listen now, and let’s create a family culture of learning and make education an adventure! Key Takeaways: Modeling Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: Encourage your children to...
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Finding Wonder and Joy in Everyday Homeschooling and Parenting
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode, we explore the beautiful intersections of joy, wonder, and learning in your homeschooling journey. Colleen opens up about her struggles with perfectionism and how it has impacted her homeschooling and parenting. She encourages us to embrace the messiness of life to enjoy deeper connections and create memorable moments with our children. Understanding and meeting our children’s sensory, emotional, and social needs can be challenging. Colleen shares practical ways to foster their interests and paving the way for curiosity-driven explorations. Whether through spontaneous...
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When Homeschool Looks Different: Embracing the Chaos and Finding Joy
Raising Lifelong Learners
In the latest episode we dive deep into the evolving and sometimes chaotic world of homeschooling. Join Colleen as she shares her family's "Not Back to School Day" traditions, how they're adapting amid a jam-packed schedule, and the heartfelt challenges of balancing multiple roles. Key Takeaways: Homeschools adapt from year to year, and new traditions can be fun. The struggle of managing homeschooling alongside numerous activities and professional commitments is challenging for all -- you're not alone. It's important to be present and mindful of the mental load carried by...
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Supporting and Understanding Levels of Giftedness in Homeschooled Children with Deborah Ruf
Raising Lifelong Learners
In today's episode, Colleen had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Dr. Deborah Ruf about homeschooling, giftedness, and the evolving landscape of education. Key Takeaways: Evolving Homeschooling Landscape: With more resources available, being intentional in selecting activities and groups is crucial. Giftedness Beyond Scores: Giftedness is multifaceted, with variations beyond high IQ scores, requiring tailored support. Understanding Personality and Interests: Recognizing personality types and allowing children to explore their interests can significantly impact their...
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A Deep Dive into The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
Raising Lifelong Learners
Today’s episode dives deep into the strengths-based approach to homeschooling, offering valuable insights and practical tips for creating a child-focused learning environment. Key Takeaways: Learn how to adapt curricula like math and history to better suit your child's preferences and learning style. Gain inspiration from Colleen's personal stories about her brother and daughter, emphasizing the power of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. Get a sneak peek into Colleen's recently released book The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising...
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Embracing Interest-Led Homeschooling with Lydia Rosado
Raising Lifelong Learners
Dive into this episode of the podcast with the inspiring Lydia Rosado! We discuss the magic of interest-led homeschooling, the power of films in education, and the beauty of embracing each child’s unique journey. Lydia shares her wisdom on nurturing passions, cultivating independence, and trusting the homeschooling process. Plus, get insights on balancing kids' interests with foundational learning and discovering creative ways to make education come alive! Key Takeaways: Using Films in Education: Lydia discusses how movies are not only entertaining but also educational. She...
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In the latest episode of the podcast, we chat about a skill that often leaves even the most adept homeschooling parents in search of guidance: handwriting.
Sarah Collins, our favorite occupational therapist with a homeschooling background and a love for nurturing writing skills in children, unpacks the multifaceted journey of handwriting, from the initial scribbles to fluent cursive.
Key Takeaways From This Episode Include:
- Encouraging fine motor skills in everyday play.
- Understanding and leveraging technology to support writing.
- Instilling self-advocacy in your learners.
- The vital role of grip strength and motor control in writing.
- Strategies for boosting endurance without causing burnout.
✍️ Actionable Insights for Your Homeschooling Adventure
The episode is more than a mere dialogue.
It’s a treasure trove of actionable tips and heartwarming humor (don’t miss the part about being “raised by wolves”!).
📚 Resource Roundup
We’ve heard your calls for resources, and Sarah Collins doesn’t disappoint.
From fine motor screeners to grip-strengthening exercises, we provide a rich landscape of free resources and proven curriculums tailored to your individual learner’s needs.
👂 Listen and Learn
Ready to demystify handwriting hurdles?
Tune in to this inspiring session with Sarah Collins.
Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math
Links and Resources from Today’s Show:
- Pre-Order - The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
- Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab
- Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed.
- Homeschool OT with Sarah Collins
- The OT is IN Podcast
- Join the OT is IN Membership!
- Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins
- Helping Our Kids Self-Regulate with Sarah Collins
- Coping with Stress | Supporting Kids and Teens
- Thriving Together | Creating Supportive Environments in Homeschooling
- Self-Care and Co-Regulation | Balancing Parenting and Sensory Needs
- The OT is IN - Understanding the Role of Vision in Your Child's Learning Journey
- The OT is IN - Visual Pathways to Learning: Harnessing Nature and Vision in Homeschooling
- The OT is IN - Understanding the Power of Form Drawing: A Parent's Guide to Waldorf Education
- Handwriting Motor Skill Assessment
Connect with Sarah Collins
Website: Homeschool OT
You can also find Sarah on Instagram @HomeschoolOT
Connect with Colleen
You can find Colleen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
How does your child learn best? Take the Quiz!