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In this episode, Karen will break down the concept of sleep pressure and its relevance across different age groups, from babies to school-age children. We'll explore the critical relationship between physical activity, screen time, and sleep readiness. You'll hear insightful tips on managing screen influence on sleep, touching on both metabolic processes and circadian rhythms.

Karen shares some incredible resources for parents, including key sites like the Sleep Foundation, pathways.org, and the must-read book "The Rested Child" by Chris Winters. You'll also get to know about Karen's journey from launching a cloth diaper business to returning to occupational therapy with a focus on infant and community-based sleep therapy—a path that perfectly complements her homeschooling endeavors.

We'll discuss the importance of sleep for the entire family's well-being, especially in neurodivergent children, and provide actionable strategies for parents, including sensory-sensitive routines and safe practices around the use of weighted sleep tools. Plus, Karen gives her top techniques for calming a child's nervous system before bedtime and shares her favorite experiences in combining occupational therapy with homeschooling.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Sleep Pressure and Its Impact on Different Age Groups
• Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep Drive
• Impact of Sedentary Behavior on Sleep
• Relationship Between Physical Activity and Sleep Readiness
• Influence of Screens on Sleep
• Metabolic Processes Affected by Screen Time
• Impact on Circadian Rhythms
• Karen’s Experience Applying Occupational Therapy in Homeschooling
• Collaborative Goal Identification
• Creative Application of Learning Goals through Activities
• Importance of Sleep as a Pillar of Occupation
• Effects of Poor Sleep on Family Dynamics
• Addressing Sleep Issues in Neurodivergent Children
• Age-Appropriate Sleep Patterns
• Occupational Therapy Techniques to Address Sensory Needs
• Techniques to Calm a Child’s Nervous System Before Bedtime
• Concern Over Weighted Sleep Sacks for Babies
• Activities to Regulate Sensory-Seeking Children Before Bedtime
• Strategies for Children Who Have Difficulty Staying Asleep

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• The Rested Child by Chris Winters
• Sleep Foundation
• Articles on Babies and Sleep from Pathways.org
• How Occupational Therapy Can Treat Children with Sleep Problems
• Children’s Best Bedroom Environment for Sleep manual
• Simple Sensory-Based Sleep Strategies from Sleep for Kids

Connect with our Guest, Karen Randall

With 24 years of experience, Karen combines her knowledge in Pediatric OT with a deep understanding of Sleep Science to support Neurodivergent and Neurotypical families to achieve healthy sleep patterns as a foundation for their meaningful participation in everyday life.

Using frameworks and learning from the areas of development, sensory processing, psychology, and mental health, with a focus on providing a neurodiversity-affirming approach to care, Karen provides OT services that meet the needs of both the child and the family as a whole.

At present, Karen works with ND school-aged children, infants, toddlers, and children to support sleep, and works in a NICU to provide developmental care, parent education, and feeding support. Outside of work, Karen is a mom to two teens who homeschooled for 7 years and enjoys spending time boating the coastal waters with her family.

Visit Karen's Website, Follow her on Instagram

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