Is cursive handwriting still important for kids? And when choosing between cursive, print, and typing, does it really matter how our children put their thoughts on the page?

In this episode of The OT is IN, Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, talks with homeschool mom, educator, and Grooved Learning founder Jenna Coleman about why cursive is making a comeback and what handwriting can contribute to learning, memory, and confidence.

Together, Sarah and Jenna explore the differences between cursive, print, and typing, what research tells us about handwriting and learning, and why handwriting is about much more than neat penmanship. They also discuss explicit handwriting instruction, multisensory handwriting practice, and how tactile experiences can help children build skills without turning handwriting into busywork.

For homeschool families whose children struggle with writing, Sarah also shares why handwriting practice and written expression sometimes need to be separated. Narration, dictation, and speech to text can give children ways to communicate what they know while they continue developing handwriting as its own skill.

In this episode:

• Why cursive handwriting is making a comeback
• What research tells us about handwriting and the brain
• Cursive, print, and typing as different tools for learning
• Why handwriting requires explicit instruction and practice
• How multisensory handwriting activities can support learning
• Why meaningful practice matters more than busywork
• When to separate handwriting from written expression
• How narration and technology can support children who struggle with writing

Thank you to our title sponsor, Lovevery.

Lovevery's Reading Skill Set brings hands on learning into early reading through phonics based games, books, and activities designed to build reading skills through play. Homeschool families can use the Reading Skill Set alongside their existing reading curriculum.

You can get 10% off the Reading Skillset using the code HomeschoolOT10. Check it out here.

• Join the OT is IN Insiders
• A Path to Thoughtful Learning: A Guide to Narration
• Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers
• Balancing Tech and Handwriting: Supporting Your Child's Growth
• Connect with HomeschoolOT on Instagram

• Explore Grooved Learning and save 15% with code OTisin15
• Connect with Jenna on Instagram

• Handwriting Leads to Widespread Brain Activity
• Handwriting Rewires Your Brain
• The Science of Cursive
• LearningRx

Thank you to Lovevery for sponsoring this episode of The OT is IN.

Explore Lovevery and save 10% on the Reading Skill Set with code HomeschoolOT10.

Jenna Coleman is a former classroom educator, homeschool mom of three, and the founder of Grooved Learning. Although she holds a Master's in Education, Jenna says homeschooling her own children has taught her some of her most valuable lessons about how children learn.

Jenna originally started her business as Graceful By Design before expanding the educational side into Grooved Learning. She creates short, intentional resources that combine tactile learning with meaningful practice across subjects. Her goal is to help children build skills while also developing a genuine love of learning.

Explore Grooved Learning and save 15% with code OTisin15.

Connect with Jenna on Instagram

If your child has practiced handwriting but it still seems harder than expected, it may be time to look beyond what is happening on the page.

In this episode of The OT is IN, Sarah is joined by fellow occupational therapist, homeschool mom, and OT is INsiders cohost Tiffany Parsons. Together, they explore handwriting from an OT perspective, looking at the many motor and cognitive skills that work together when a child writes.

Sarah and Tiffany talk about what parents can observe during handwriting, including posture, pencil control, effort, coordination, and body positioning. They also discuss why it can be helpful to look for patterns beyond writing. How does your child manage utensils, fasteners, stairs, playground equipment, or activities that require both sides of the body to work together?

The goal isn't to turn homeschool parents into occupational therapists. It's to help you become a curious observer of your child, recognize patterns across everyday activities, and know when bringing another professional onto your team might be helpful.

• Why handwriting requires both motor and cognitive skills • Why the skills involved in handwriting don't always develop at the same rate • What Sarah and Tiffany observe when a child is having difficulty with handwriting • How posture, balance, bilateral coordination, visual skills, and movement patterns can affect participation • Why it's helpful to notice patterns across handwriting, self care, play, and other daily activities • Everyday activities that can give parents clues about coordination and motor skills • Simple ways to incorporate whole body movement into your homeschool day • When it may be helpful to seek support from an occupational therapist • Why building a team doesn't take away from your role as the expert on your child

Resources from HomeschoolOT

• Join The OT Insiders Membership
• Get The Primitive Reflexes Resource Guide
• How To Think About Handwriting Guide
• Making Sense Of The Handwriting Puzzle Course

Connect with Our Guest and Sponsor

• Check Out Our Title Sponsor CTC Math for 50% off
• CTC Math Free Trial
• Tiffany Parsons on Facebook

Related episodes of the OT is IN

• Episode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
• Episode 21: Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to Integration
• Episode 22: Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex Integration
• Episode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Episode 24: Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers
• Episode 38: Practical Learning Tools from a Homeschool Graduate: Sensory Kits for Homeschool Success
• Episode 55: Understanding Dysgraphia: Tools and Strategies for Homeschoolers
• Episode 56: Unlocking Writing Confidence in Children: The Role of Personal Expression
• Episode 77: Turning Letters Into Play: How Doodling Builds Handwriting Skills with Sarah Muldoon
• Episode 78: How Movement Influences Learning: OT Insights for Parents

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here.

Tiffany is a pastors wife, bonus mom, twin mom, homeschool mom and pediatric occupational therapist. She is a 2014 graduate from West Virginia University. She is passionate about educating others on what occupational therapy is and how it can benefit the lives of not only children but the family as a whole.

If you're a homeschool parent who's ever wondered why your child has trouble noticing hunger, thirst, needing the bathroom, or even pinpointing their emotions, this episode may help you look at things differently. Many parents are familiar with sensory challenges, but interoception—sometimes called the eighth sense—isn't often discussed outside of occupational therapy. Understanding interoception can change the way you see emotional regulation struggles, help you respond to meltdowns with more empathy, and offer kids more meaningful ways to communicate what's happening inside their bodies.

In this episode of The OT is IN, Sarah is joined by occupational therapist and interoception expert Kelly Mahler to explore what interoception really is, why it matters for homeschoolers, and what it looks like to help children put words to their inner experiences. You'll hear practical ways parents can model paying attention to internal cues, why validating a child's unique body language and feelings matters, and how this knowledge can lay the groundwork for self-advocacy and emotional growth at home. Real-life examples, like a child whose "buzzy tongue" signaled anxiety, make these ideas accessible and adaptable—even if the labels and strategies are different for every family.

Thanks to Lovevery for sponsoring today's show. You can get 10% off the Reading Skillset using the code HomeschoolOT10. Check it out here.

• What interoception is, why it's sometimes called the "eighth sense," and how it influences everything from hunger and thirst to anxiety and self-awareness

• The connection between body signals, emotions, and self-regulation, and why traditional emotion charts may not work for every child

• Simple, real-world ways parents can model noticing and narrating their own internal states to help children build language and awareness

• Why validating a child's unique ways of describing body sensations ("noodley brain" or "buzzy tongue") supports trust, communication, and growth

• How interoception awareness links to language development, self-advocacy, and feeling safe in sharing inner experiences

• Practical tips for getting started with kids of all ages—even teens—and adapting sensory activities to fit your family and comfort level

• An overview of Kelly Mahler's interoception curriculum and how it can be used flexibly within a homeschool environment

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Make sure to join our OT INsiders Membership Here
• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Connect With Kelly On IG Here
• Connect with Kelly On Linkedin Here
• The Interoception Curriculum
• Noticing My Body Signals
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor Lovevery
• Learning RX Website

Related OT is IN episodes

• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski
• Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Episode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool
• Episode 16: Navigating the Interoceptive Sense: Insights and Strategies for Parents
• Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
• Episode 29: Parenting with Co-Regulation
• Episode 48: Transforming Fashion for Sensory Needs: An Interview with Julia, Adaptive Apparel Pioneer
• Episode 53: Redefining Rest: An approach to Spiritual, Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Rest
• Episode 59: Translating OT Concepts: Creating a Children's Book for Sensory Processing Awareness
• Episode 72: Navigating Sibling Sensory Needs and Homeschooling Wins and Fails
• Episode 80: Raising Resilient Kids

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.

Kelly Mahler is an award-winning occupational therapist, author, and interoception groupie known for her boundless curiosity and empathetic approach. Holding a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, she has served school-aged children and adults for over 22 years. Kelly is author of 12 resources including The Interoception Curriculum, now used in over 30 countries worldwide. She enjoys speaking internationally on interoception, neuro-affirming practices, and playful strategies for inner exploration using a lens of curiosity, validation and empathy.

If you have ever wondered whether you're meeting all your child's needs as a homeschool parent, or worried that you might miss out on something important by doing things differently from traditional school, this conversation is for you.

Today we're examining what success actually looks like in homeschooling, especially when it doesn't follow the standard playbook. In our family, hallmark milestones have looked different, friendships grow from unexpected places, and learning shifts as needs change. As we talk through questions like socialization, academic benchmarks, and what it means to "do homeschooling right," you'll hear how our expectations have changed—and why that change brings relief, not regret.

This topic matters for homeschoolers because so many decisions are shaped by assumptions about what is normal and necessary. When we let go of rigid timelines and the pressure to replicate school, it creates space to focus on strengths, support challenges, and personalize the learning journey—without losing sight of connection or growth.

• Introduction and Family Introductions
• Initial Perceptions and Misconceptions About Homeschooling
• Frequent comment: "But you're so normal"
• Misunderstandings and mind shifts about homeschooling from others
• Responses to social perceptions (e.g., from sports teammates)
• Need or lack thereof to justify being homeschooled
• Skepticism and Early Concerns from the Homeschool Dad
• Brandon Collins' initial skepticism and concerns
• Reflection on Years of Homeschooling and Perspective Changes
• Nine years of homeschooling experience
• Evolution from skepticism to happiness with the process
• Differences between homeschool 'milestones' and public school experiences
• Student Experience: Socialization, Friendships, and Opportunities
• Annabelle's sources of friendship (church, co-ops, sports)
• Unique opportunities available due to homeschooling (early college credits, job flexibility)
• Flexibility and Customization in Homeschooling
• Surprises and realizations about flexibility in scheduling and learning
• Vacations and educational opportunities outside of traditional school schedules
• Sports and extracurricular participation as a homeschooled student
• Adapting Curriculum and Parental Approaches
• Non-traditional, tailored approach (not just recreating public school at home)
• Adapting and switching between different educational programs and methods
• Student thoughts on curriculum changes and accommodations
• Family Dynamics and Practical Moments
• Deeper Challenges and Difficulties in the Homeschooling Journey
• Parental patience and encouragement (mantras, support)
• Preparation for College and Life Skills
• Personal organization and spreadsheet skills
• Flexibility in rescheduling and managing workload
• Final Thoughts and Advice to Other Families
• Brandon Collins: Encouragement to trust the process, patience, and the value of course correction

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Join The OT Insiders
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor CTC Math
• CTC Math Free Trial
• Episode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
• Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski
• Episode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Episode 29: Parenting with Co-Regulation
• Episode 61: Mindful Moments: Supporting Focus and Calm in Children
• Episode 72: Navigating Sibling Sensory Needs and Homeschooling Wins and Fails
• Episode 75: Teaching Kids Healthy Habits: Building Lifelong Wellness
• Episode 81: Understanding Social Pressures and Masking in Kids

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here.

Brandon is my husband and the wonderful father to our children. You can connect with him here at [email protected]

We're taking a clear look at what it really means to trust your instincts as a homeschool parent—while also navigating the pressure to measure up to systems and expectations that don't fit your child or your family. You'll hear directly about how to recognize when outside pressures are pulling you off course, how to distinguish between real needs and the fear of "falling behind," and why embracing a flexible, child-centered approach leads to more meaningful learning and stronger relationships.

This isn't about finding a perfect method or escaping all doubts. It's about understanding that your context, your family, and your child's unique development are the true foundation of a successful homeschool—no matter what anyone else says or what the comparison trap tries to tell you.

Thanks to Lovevery for sponsoring today's show. You can get 10% off the Reading Skillset using the code HomeschoolOT10. Check it out here.

• Starting the Homeschooling Journey
• Initial resistance to homeschooling
• Searching for alternatives (private school, crunching numbers)
• Detail on work-life balance while freelancing and parenting
• Using existing first grade workbooks during transition
• Early attempts to find community without social media (library searches, bulletin boards)
• Evolving Homeschool Methods
• How long initial workbook approach lasted
• Balancing working from home and homeschooling with help from a babysitter
• Challenges with babysitter's reactions and eventual switch to deschooling
• Move to field trips, classes, and experiential learning
• Gradual phasing in of curriculum "scaffolding" method
• Continuing to phase in/out curriculum as a tradition
• Trusting Parenting and Teaching Instincts
• Distinguishing between teaching background and homeschooling instincts
• Times when teaching background hindered home education
• Responding to outside pressures versus trusting instincts
• Emphasizing adjustment based on child's needs and family environment
• Reflection on how "dumping" too much at once lead to family stress
• Handling Negative Feedback and External Judgment
• Early defensiveness vs. later confidence
• Types of critics: curious, concerned, and judgmental
• Strategies for responding to each group
• Personal stories: teacher confrontation, family and community criticism
• Key refrains: "This is what's best for our family"
• Importance of openness and humility
• Homeschool Comparison and the "Falling Behind" Fear
• The tendency to compare progress to age/grade norms
• Asynchronous development in neurodivergent and gifted kids
• Prioritizing relationship over academic performance
• Gaps in learning (examples: writing, citation skills)
• Handling gaps as part of a lifelong learning process
• Reflections on Regret and Parental Imperfection
• Children pointing out what they missed in homeschooling
• The inevitability of regrets in all types of schooling and parenting
• Maintaining parent-child connection as a core value
• Advice: make the best decisions possible in the moment
• Socialization and Relationship Building
• Addressing the "socialization" question—a common concern for homeschoolers
• Early strategies for finding peers and forming friendships
• Role of extracurriculars (e.g., theater, Girl Scouts) and neighborhood connections
• Impact of the pandemic and moving on social opportunities
• Specific challenges for neurodivergent kids and non-joiners
• Importance of parental initiative in finding opportunities
• Distinction between opportunity and outcome in forming friendships

• Join the OT INsiders Here
• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Colleen's Website Raising Lifelong Learners
• Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast
• Connect With Colleen On Instagram
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor Lovevery
• Learning RX Website
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
• Episode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families
• Episode 41: Building Your Support Network as a Homeschooling Parent Especially during the holiday season
• Episode 46: Navigating Homeschool Priorities with Amy Sloan: From Family Dynamics to Crisis Management
• Episode 49: Connection Over Curriculum: Building Strong Bonds in Homeschooling
• Episode 69: Modern Stress, Ancient Responses: Why Moms Need Rest and How to Get It
• Episode 80: Raising Resilient Kids

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.

Colleen Kessler is an author, educator, podcaster, and international speaker known for her strengths-based, child-focused approach to homeschooling. With degrees in education and gifted studies, she specializes in the social and emotional development of neurodivergent children. Colleen helps parents understand and support their children's unique learning, emotional, and developmental needs. A homeschooling mom of four, she empowers families to build connection, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning at home. Learn more, explore the podcast, and connect with her community at raisinglifelonglearners.com.

• Defining Success and Challenges in Homeschooling
• Encouragement for parents to define "success" for their own families
• Recognition that listeners may be pursuing a nontraditional educational path
• Parental questions about raising expectations without causing power struggles
• Sarah Collins's current family homeschooling dynamics (older children graduating or not homeschooled, youngest still at home)
• Understanding the Roots of Power Struggles
• Parents balancing desire for independence/responsibility with understanding individual children
• Common research interests in neurodiversity, learning differences, and diagnoses
• The challenge of distinguishing when to support, accept, or expect growth
• Expectations exceeding the child's current skill set
• The child ready for more independence than the parent is comfortable with
• Environment not supporting the child's success (focus on method over needs)
• Balancing Acceptance and Expectation
• Importance of finding a middle ground between acceptance and expectation
• Risks of having only acceptance or only expectation (limited growth vs. frustration/conflict)
• First Mismatch: Expectations Ahead of Skills
• "Is this a skill problem or a will problem?"—reframing perceived defiance
• Detailed analysis using writing as an example:
  • Potential motor, cognitive, or social-emotional challenges
  • Misinterpretations leading to mislabeling skill deficits as character issues
• Importance of curiosity and skill identification for productive responses
• Second Mismatch: Independence and Ownership
• Struggles when children want more independence than parents give
• Personal example: child's new responsibility for a pet snake
• Parental tendency to take on ownership and responsibility that should belong to children
• Micromanaging vs. micro-noticing; consequences for child development
• The importance of clear ownership and natural consequences
• When parents give responsibilities before children are ready (e.g. technology/phones)
• Power struggles tied to misplaced responsibility
• How assumptions about learning environments create unnecessary struggles (e.g., sitting at desks, taking notes)
• Son's late literacy development and eventual academic success
• Asking correct questions: what is the learning outcome versus the method?
• Flexibility in reading methods—standing, listening, moving while learning
• Main point: focus on outcomes, adjust methods as needed
• Occupational Therapy Perspective on Challenging Tasks
• OT's role: breaking down tasks, identifying underlying skill gaps
• Parents are not expected to have all the answers—value of another perspective
• Origin and ongoing purpose of Homeschool OT coaching and support

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Join The OT Insiders Waitlist
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor CTC Math
• CTC Math Free Trial
• Chores For Skill Builders Blog
• Face to Face Connections In A Screen To Screen World Book
• Episode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
• Episode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
• Episode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families
• Episode 70: Tackling Homeschool Guilt and Finding Your Own Path with Kelly Edwards
• Episode 74: Navigating the Teen Years: Building Connection and Independence at Home
• Episode 81: Understanding Social Pressures and Masking in Kids
• Episode 86: Balancing Acceptance and Expectation: Building Executive Functioning in Homeschooling and Parenting
• Episode 88: Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here.

In today's conversation, we dig into the real scope of speech-language therapy and why it's so much more than articulation drills—especially for homeschool families. We break down how feeding, reading, memory, and even a child's ability to follow instructions are deeply connected to language and brain development. We'll look at how challenges sometimes show up as frustrating behaviors, or why a seemingly "simple" reading delay doesn't always have a simple solution.

This matters in homeschool settings because so much of what we do—teaching, supporting, noticing the little shifts in our kids—relies on understanding what's really going on underneath. When we get clearer on how language, sensory input, and cognitive processes all interact, we become better equipped to notice when our child needs extra support and when the right kind of challenge can open new doors. By the end of this episode, you'll have a sharper lens for spotting the early signs that language might need a different kind of help—and more confidence interpreting what you're seeing day-to-day.

Thanks to Lovevery for sponsoring today's show. You can get 10% off the Reading Skillset using the code HomeschoolOT10. Check it out here.

• What is Speech Therapy?
• Public perception: speech therapy as addressing only Rs
• The broader scope of speech language pathology
• Traditional vs. modern speech therapy roles
• Areas addressed: feeding/swallowing, infant to end-of-life, picky eating, choking risks
• Voice quality, professional voice users, resonance issues, cleft palates, hearing impairments
• Connection to the brain: stuttering, cluttering, rhythm disorders, phonological/phonemic awareness, executive functioning, literacy
• Auditory Processing and Language Comprehension
• Auditory processing disorder (APD)—definition and signs
• How APD can look like bad behavior
• Breakdowns in auditory processing: signal transmission, brain processing of sound, acoustic profile
• Role of brain in sorting/organizing sounds
• Visual approaches aiding sound discrimination
• Connection to dyslexia
• Difficulty with sound discrimination and memory in relation to language learning
• Examples of syntax and organization issues ("word salad")
• Multisensory Approaches and Sensory Integration
• Using visual, auditory, and other senses to aid language development
• Links between feeding skills, play, and language milestones
• The Connection Between Language and Learning
• Homeschool perspective: when to seek help vs. home intervention
• Reading interventions (Barton, OG), when they're not enough, need for underlying cognitive/linguistic support
• Signs that additional intervention is needed beyond curriculum
• Defining Technical Terms
• Processing: definitions and what is meant in language/sound context
• Link to handwriting, other learning skills (motor control, processing ideas)
• Support and Teamwork in Homeschooling
• Importance of external support—SLPs as "buddies"
• Effects of language on other academic areas—math, comprehension

• Make sure to join our OT INsiders Membership Waitlist Here
• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Connect With Amanda On IG
• Amanda's Website
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor Lovevery
• Learning RX Website
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 4: The Evolving Landscape of Homeschool Community Support
• Episode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
• Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland's Approach and Homeschooling Tips
• Episode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing Strengths
• Episode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All
• Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting
• Episode 62: 62 Strategies for Enhancing Cognitive Skills in Children
• Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families
• Episode 83: How Working Memory Shapes Literacy: Practical Tips to support the missing link between executive functioning and reading
• Episode 94: Understanding and Building Working Memory at Home: An OT Perspective

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.

Amanda Owens, CCC-SLP equips homeschool parents so they can teach their children how to talk clearly and confidently through speech therapy at home. A homeschool graduate and mom, she builds practical tools for parents, teaches how speech therapy works, and supports a growing community of parents.

If you've ever found yourself wondering when it's time to seek help for your child's reading progress, or questioned whether difficulty with letter sounds is a passing phase or something more, this episode will bring clarity.

Today, we're unpacking what foundational literacy looks like at home—especially in homeschool settings where parents are both teachers and advocates. You'll hear clear, practical ways to spot early signs of reading struggles, and how these can sometimes be missed when day-to-day learning is so entwined with play and natural conversation. We're exploring how phonemic awareness really develops before letter symbols enter the picture, and why noticing gaps early can make a difference for later reading and spelling.

• Melanie Jeffrey's background
• Host of "Phonics Tools for Kids" podcast
• Experience as a core literacy classroom teacher specializing in phonics (ages 4-9, K-3)
• Personal Experience with Children's Reading
• Sarah asks about Melanie Jeffrey's own children and reading challenges
• Why Phonics as a Starting Approach?
• The importance of phonics for reading development
• Language acquisition as a foundation
• 44 sounds in English vs. 26 letters in the alphabet
• Phonics as matching sounds to symbols (graphemes)
• Emphasis on oral language and sound awareness as the initial step
• Early Red Flags and Indicators of Reading Struggles
• Auditory processing as an early warning sign
• Oral segmentation exercises as indicators
• Noting mistakes with word order (e.g., "cats" vs. "cast")
• Use of Nonsense Words for Phonemic Awareness
• Value of using real and nonsense words to practice sound manipulation
• Timeline for early phonemic awareness activities (ages 3-5)
• When to consider seeking help if articulation of sounds remains a struggle
• Role of occupational therapists (Sarah and speech therapists in early intervention
• Personal Anecdotes on Reading and Auditory Processing
• Homeschooling Advantages in Early Identification
• The benefit of close, one-to-one learning relationships in homeschool settings
• Parents' role in identifying struggles and noticing extra effort or persistent confusion
• Advantage of parental intuition and observation in recognizing when outside help may be needed
• Benchmarks, Indicators, and Assessment Tools
• Using scope and sequence in phonics curriculum as a guide
• Learning Through Play and Application
• Engagement and Curriculum Fit
• Evaluating whether reading struggles stem from the child or the curriculum
• When and How to Start Formal Phonics Instruction

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Join The OT Insiders Waitlist
• Phonics Rules For Kids Podcast
• Phonics Rules For Kids Website
• FREE GUIDE - Phonic Made Simple (Even if You're Not a Teacher)
• Connect With Melanie On Facebook
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor CTC Math
• CTC Math Free Trial
• Executive Function, Regulation, and Getting Started In Your Homeschool
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland's Approach and Homeschooling Tips
• Episode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing Strengths
• Episode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All
• Episode 36: Disability Inclusion and Homeschooling: Lindsey Larsen Shares Her Unique Perspective and Resources
• Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting
• Episode 60: Tackling Childhood Anxiety: How Occupational Therapy Can Help
• Episode 63: Misophonia Explained: Causes, Triggers, and Real Life Solutions
• Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families
• Episode 88: Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life
• Episode 89: The Emotional Power of Family Reading: Fostering Vocabulary and Connection

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here.

Melanie is a phonics fanatic, host of the PHONICS RULES FOR KIDS podcast. As an experienced core literacy classroom teacher, formally trained in phonics instruction for children ages 4-9 (K-3), she has taught hundreds of children to read using phonics as the foundation. Melanie helps moms confidently model simple phonics skills at home to teach their beginning readers in K-2, and struggling readers in 3rd-5th grade. She believes moms are fully capable of learning simple phonics skills they can put on 'rinse and repeat' to streamline phonics lessons at home, even when they're not trained as a teacher. Melanie is wife to Bill, mom of an 18, 19 and 20-year old! Yes, her children were born so close, that she was often asked in the grocery store if the youngest two were twins! Melanie gets excited when kids can quickly apply phonics concepts to read with greater fluency! As a mom who shares your values, she wants to help you teach your kiddo to read with confidence!

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

If you have ever found yourself wondering why your child can't get started on a task, even when they seem to know exactly what to do, this conversation is for you. Today, we are digging into what's really going on when initiation just isn't happening—especially at home, where the lines between support and independence are always shifting. We'll unpack the hidden role of the nervous system in motivation and task initiation, and explore why traditional approaches to getting kids going often backfire for neurodivergent learners. This matters in homeschooling because you're not just managing curriculum; you're shaping how your child feels about learning, about themselves, and about asking for help. Understanding the difference between "won't" and "can't" changes how you respond in the moment—and how your child's confidence grows over time.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer perspective on how regulation, support, and co-regulation create the foundations for executive function. We'll look at practical ways to build those skills in real life, with a focus on meeting your child where they are, not where you wish they'd be.

Thanks to Lovevery for sponsoring today's show. You can get 10% off the Reading Skillset using the code HomeschoolOT10. Check it out here.

• The Importance of Community and Support
• The isolating experience of homeschooling and neurodiversity
• Value of normalizing experiences and mutual support for parents and children
• Foundational Understanding: The Nervous System and Behavior
• The significance of understanding the nervous system's role in behavior
• How behavior often represents automatic protection rather than intention
• Influence of anxiety and sensory sensitivity on behavior
• The impact and importance of being aware of bodily signals (interoception)
• Shifting Perspectives in Parenting Neurodivergent Kids
• Reference to Ross Greene's work as a turning point
• Framing behavior as communication
• The evolving recognition of nervous system science in parenting
• Foundations for Learning and Executive Function
• The importance of nervous system regulation for "online" learning and executive functioning
• Defining the "thinking brain" (frontal lobe, rational thought, cognitive skills)
• Barriers to learning when children are dysregulated
• Signs and Practice of Regulation vs. Dysregulation
• What it feels like to be regulated ("feeling good in your body") versus dysregulated ("out of whack")
• Real-life examples of adult regulation and dysregulation
• Societal reinforcement of suppressing personal regulation needs, especially in traditional school settings
• Homeschooling as an opportunity to honor children's needs
• Practical Strategies for Building Regulation into the Day
• The concept of proactive regulation activities before challenging tasks (schoolwork, transitions)
• Long-term benefits of routine regulation for life skills
• Building workable habits for children vs. adults needing to relearn regulation
• Specific Regulation Techniques and Activities
• Sensory strategies tailored to individual children
• Practical parent tips: integrating regulation activities naturally (before homework, breakfast, etc.)
• Addressing Task Initiation and Independence
• Recognizing limitations when children are dysregulated (difficulty with new tasks, transitions)
• Co-regulation and modeling regulation for children rather than directives
• Fostering Autonomy, Especially for Older Kids and Teens
• Importance of making regulation activities appealing and self-driven for teenagers
• Parental role shifts from direct instruction to subtle support and modeling

• Download The Executive Functioning Regulation Guide Here
• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Homeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning Guide
• Connect With Penny Williams on Instagram
• Connect With Penny Williams on Facebook
• The Parenting ADHD and Autism Podcast
• Parenting ADHD and ASD Youtube
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor Lovevery
• Learning RX Website
• Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski
• Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Episode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool
• Episode 21: Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to Integration
• Episode 30: Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents
• Episode 31: Cultivating Calm: Understanding Nervous System Dysregulation in Children and Practical Solutions for Parents
• Episode 44: Prioritizing Slow in Homeschooling: A chat with Leslie Martino
• Episode 49: Connection Over Curriculum: Building Strong Bonds in Homeschooling
• Episode 59: Translating OT Concepts: Creating a Children's Book for Sensory Processing Awareness
• Episode 61: Mindful Moments: Supporting Focus and Calm in Children
• Episode 66: The Power Of Declarative Language
• Episode 70: Tackling Homeschool Guilt and Finding Your Own Path with Kelly Edwards
• Episode 72: Navigating Sibling Sensory Needs and Homeschooling Wins and Fails
• Episode 80: Raising Resilient Kids: Coping Skills and Emotional Regulation in the Digital Age
• Episode 86: Balancing Acceptance and Expectation: Building Executive Functioning in Homeschooling and Parenting

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.

Penny Williams is a leading behavior and parenting coach specializing in supporting families raising neurodivergent kids — those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other differences in how they think and process the world.

Through her SIGNAL Parenting™ framework — a science-informed, compassion-centered approach — Penny helps parents stop trying to fix behavior and start interpreting what it's communicating. Her work replaces outdated discipline models with neuroscience-based strategies rooted in compassion and connection, teaching parents to respond through regulation and relationship instead of reaction.

Penny is the award-winning author of Boy Without Instructions and three other books on ADHD, host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast with over 5 million downloads, and founder of the Regulated Kids Project. Her work has been featured in ADDitude Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, and CHADD's Attention Magazine.

At the heart of Penny's work is one powerful belief: Behavior isn't the problem — it's the signal.

Want practical ways to support skills like working memory, flexibility, and follow-through? Download the free Social Skills and Executive Functioning Guide to get started.

If you've noticed your child starting tasks but never finishing them, forgetting multi-step directions, or struggling to remember what they just read, you may be seeing the effects of a working memory challenge.

In this episode of The OT Is IN, Sarah talks with Sandra Zamalis from LearningRx about what working memory is, why it matters for learning, and how it can show up during everyday homeschool tasks. Using examples like losing track of multi-step math problems or forgetting information while reading, they explore why some children need more support to hold and use information.

Sandra also explains the difference between accommodations that help children manage working memory demands and LearningRx's approach to targeted cognitive training. Plus, Sandra puts Sarah's working memory to the test with an activity listeners can try along with them!

• How to recognize signs of working memory struggles in everyday homeschool life
• How working memory can affect reading, math, following directions, and completing tasks
• Why forgetfulness, unfinished tasks, and disorganization may be connected to working memory
• The difference between accommodations and approaches designed to build cognitive skills
• The difference between visual and auditory working memory
• How processing speed and automaticity relate to working memory
• A working memory activity you can try while you listen
• Why trust and emotional safety matter when children are practicing difficult skills
• What parents can consider when evaluating cognitive training programs
• How supporting working memory is about helping children reach their goals, not "fixing" them

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Connect With Sandy On Instagram
• Connect With Sandy On Tik Tok
• The Brainy Moms Podcast
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor CTC Math
• CTC Math Free Trial

Related Episodes of the OT is IN

• Executive Function, Regulation, and Getting Started In Your Homeschool
• What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips Can Build Executive Functioning
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting
• Episode 60: Tackling Childhood Anxiety: How Occupational Therapy Can Help
• Episode 66: The Power of Declarative Language in Supporting Kids
• Episode 71: Raising Resilient Learners: When and How to Talk About Diagnoses with Your Kids

Math can place significant demands on working memory, especially when children are trying to remember multiple steps while also solving a problem. One benefit of homeschooling is that we can adjust the pace and reduce some of that cognitive load when needed.

That's one reason I appreciate CTC Math. Children can work through lessons at their own pace, revisit instruction when they need it, and practice skills before moving on to something more complex.

Thank you to CTC Math for sponsoring this episode of The OT Is IN. You can check out their FREE trial here.

Sandy Zamalis is the Executive Director and owner of LearningRx Staunton-Harrisonburg, where her passion is helping struggling learners of all ages discover confidence and success. A former homeschooling mom, Sandy found her calling in cognitive training after witnessing the frustrations of students falling through the cracks. Today, she leads two thriving centers, empowering children and adults alike to overcome learning struggles and build the strong cognitive foundation everyone deserves.