In this episode, I chat with Caroline Santangelo, an occupational therapist who specializes in nature-based therapy for children in Pennsylvania. We dive into the world of interoception and explore how nature can help children develop self-awareness. Caroline shares practical insights on how movement, sensory experiences, and outdoor activities can enhance interoceptive awareness in children. She emphasizes the importance of facilitating conversations and providing language to help children articulate their internal experiences. Our discussion also touches on the benefits of nature in simplifying the learning process and promoting interoception. Tune in to discover how the power of the outdoors can influence the development of interoception in children.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Starfish Occupational Therapy's approach to developing children's grit, grace, character, confidence, and knowledge
• Using the outdoor environment for sensory-rich experiences and organic interceptive awareness
• Impacting interoception through movement and internal body signals activation
• Starting Conversations with Children about Interoception including using open-ended questions like "What do you notice?" and "How do you feel?"
• Describing experiences to model language and providing visual feedback to help children internalize input
• Discussion on how external stimuli in nature can affect internal awareness
• Examples of how different individuals experience the same stimuli differently
• Suggestions for simple outdoor activities to promote movement, proprioceptive input, and vestibular movement
• Emphasizing the lifelong journey of learning and development
• How nature's simplicity allows individuals to understand internal body signals and interception

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• The Interoception Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Mindful Self-Regulation
• The Body Check Ring: Printable Cards, Activity Booklet, and Online Mini-Course
• The Interoception Curriculum in The Homeschool Setting with a Homeschooling Mom
• Building Interoception Awareness: Questions to Ask
• Integrating Interoception and Language Arts in Your Homeschool
• Sensory Balanced Homeschool Focus Group

Connect with Sarah Collins

• Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
• Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
• Visit the Homeschool OT Website

Connect with Caroline Santangelo

Caroline is the owner of Starfish Occupational Therapy, PLLC a private nature-based occupational therapy practice for children in the Philadelphia region. Combining comprehensive neurology-based approaches with outdoor therapy, individual and small group sessions promote children's development in sensory processing, coordination, ocular motor skills, regulation, and daily living skills. Natural healing strategies and techniques for children with chronic pain conditions and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome are offered. Sessions are focused on fostering children’s Grit, Grace, Character, Confidence and Knowledge, all representing the five arms of the starfish. Let’s find the root cause for healing and get back to the basics all while splashing in the creek and building tree forts!

Specifically, Caroline is Certified in the CONTIGO Nature Therapy approach and is currently in the process of obtaining her Pediatric Functional Vision Rehabilitation Certification. Caroline has expertise in pediatric chronic pain techniques and daily management. She also has pediatric occupational therapy experience in early intervention, outpatient, acute care, and horse therapy settings.

Caroline loves the beach, her golden retriever, and hiking! Caroline hopes to travel all 50 states with only 8 left to visit!

• Starfish Occupational Therapy Website
• Like Starfish Occupational Therapy on Facebook
• Follow Starfish Occupational Therapy on Instagram