the OT is IN

By: Sarah Collins
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  • Summary

  • The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. Sarah Collins, your host, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school. Sarah Collins has experienced occupational therapy by supporting families for over 15 years but also through seeking out support for her own children- so, she's right there in the trenches with you. Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of this podcast is to explain some of the "why" behind what an occupational therapist is thinking so you can artfully apply it to your own family especially with executive functioning, handwriting, and sensory processing. Each episode will be packed with practical tips, expert interviews, and real-life stories aimed at helping you create a supportive learning environment for your child.
    2024
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Episodes
  • Outdoor Adventures: Developing Fine Motor Skills Through Nature-Based Therapy with Carmela Trejo

    Outdoor Adventures: Developing Fine Motor Skills Through Nature-Based Therapy with Carmela Trejo
    Nov 21 2024
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! --- In this episode, we'll delve into the unique ways nature can enhance fine motor skills, core strength, and overall development in children. I will share my experiences with outdoor creative play using blow-up easels, while our guest, Carmela Trejo provides invaluable insights on respecting nature during therapy sessions and the importance of accessible, inclusive outdoor spaces. We'll also discuss practical tips for parents to encourage safe and exploratory outdoor play, even in urban environments. Whether it's homeschooling integration, developing motor skills through fun activities, or fostering a child's natural curiosity, this episode is packed with advice and heartfelt stories. So, if you're keen on discovering how nature can be a powerful tool in occupational therapy, tune in and let's explore together! In this episode you'll hear about: Encouragement of creative play with paint and mud.Importance of respecting nature and property rules.Choosing accessible and non-restrictive outdoor locations.Teaching children the "rules of nature" like respecting ecosystems.Encouraging exploration and safety rather than using "be careful."Fostering motor planning skills through outdoor activities.Role of exploratory questions in child development.The Denver Science Museum’s new 30-acre play area.Accessibility of free parks and trails in Colorado.Efforts to improve inclusiveness in outdoor spaces.Inclusive park event in Colorado Springs and creation of adaptive equipment.Limited school recess time necessitating outdoor play on weekends or after school.Role of engaging environments (e.g., inclusive playgrounds) in fostering activity participation.Emphasis on preliminary skills like hand strength before handwriting.Suggested activities: tracing objects, scavenger hunts, memory exercises, using tongs.Vertical coloring and coloring under a table to enhance shoulder and hand strength.Concerns from parents about children's fine motor skills.Explanation of in-hand manipulation.Nature-based activities for developing fine motor skills.Importance of core strength alongside fine motor skills.Use of natural obstacles and equipment for gross motor skills.Importance of respecting the environment when incorporating man-made items.Carmela Trejo’s interest in homeschooling due to dissatisfaction with traditional schooling.Nature enrichment programs for homeschooling.Advice on engaging families living in urban environments with nature-based activities.Differentiation between nature-based therapy and simple outdoor play.Mix of structured activities and unstructured, child-led exploration.Importance of child-led therapy and natural curiosity guiding sessions.Structured and open-ended play targeting development goals like fine motor skills, sensory integration, social abilities, and executive functioning. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT Nurturing Creativity: Building Fine Motor Skills Using Handicrafts Guide from Homeschool OTHow do I work on handwriting outdoors? from Treeline EnrichmentImproving Handwriting without Actually Writing from Homeschool OTthe Skills Nature Builds from Homeschool OTFollow Carmella on InstagramInflatable Easel we mentionedEpisode 6- Harnessing the Great outdoors for visual development and learningEpisode 14- Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline SantangeloEpisode 22- Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex IntegrationEpisode 28- Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development
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    31 mins
  • Practical Learning Tools from a Homeschool Graduate: Sensory Kits for Homeschool Success

    Practical Learning Tools from a Homeschool Graduate: Sensory Kits for Homeschool Success
    Nov 14 2024

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

    ---

    rinity Hart and I first crossed paths nearly two years ago at the Virginia Homeschool Convention, she is an entrepreneur and fellow homeschooler. I am fascinated by her hands-on learning products designed to make education a fun and sensory-rich experience for kids.

    Today, Trinity shares about being a homeschool student and now creating sensory kits and fine motor activities that cater to children of all learning styles and needs. We’ll delve into the creative process behind her unique products, discuss their educational benefits, and explore practical ways parents can utilize these tools both indoors and outdoors.

    In this episode you'll hear about:

    • Trinity being homeschooled
    • Transition to teaching in daycares and preschools
    • The need for hands-on learning activities sparking her business idea
    • Brief mention of Trinity's siblings and their professions
    • Influence of their homeschooling background on their entrepreneurial paths
    • Description of sensory kits and fine motor activities
    • Hands-on, fun learning experiences for kids
    • Different educational items like Alphabet sets and themes
    • Materials used like resin, acrylics, woods, and sensory foam
    • Example of a child with speech apraxia benefitting from Trinity's products
    • Fine Motor Skills and Sensory Learning
    • Items integrated with sensory experiences and textures
    • Use cases for teaching fine motor skills, core strength, and vision-related activities
    • Hands-On Learning Tips
    • Use of sensory bins
    • Outdoor use and mud kitchens
    • Encouragement of messy play and fine motor development
    • Adapting products for older children
    • Resourcing different puzzles and sensory trays for older age groups
    • Practical examples like learning the keyboard layout
    • Encouraging parents to explore and use new tools for their children's development

    Links and Resources From Today's Show

    • Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
    • Building Fine Motor Skills with Handicrafts Guide from Homeschool OT
    • Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT
    • Creating Adventuress Co (Save 15% with Code: homeschoolOT15)
    • Building Handwriting Skills Without Actually Writing
    • Episode 8- Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
    • Episode 23- Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting

    Connect with our Guest, Trinity Hart

    Trinity Hart is a homeschool graduate with a college degree in Early Childhood Development. She is also the author of The Homeschool Adventures of Harry and Hannah

    Before getting involved in the private homeschool community Trinity taught at multiple daycares where she enjoys creating various hands-on learning activities and educational toy
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    24 mins
  • Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children

    Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children
    Nov 7 2024
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! --- Today we're thrilled to be joined by Kelli Fetter, an OT and founder of Handwriting Solutions. She has previously been a part of our Handwriting Focus Group. Our conversation focuses on the interconnectedness of reading and writing skills, the importance of fine motor development from early childhood, and practical tips for parents, especially those homeschooling. We'll also explore the misconceptions about handwriting development and the critical role it plays beyond basic literacy. Join us as we discuss research, developmental milestones, and Kelli’s hands-on strategies to help children thrive. Stick around—this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice you won’t want to miss! In this episode you'll hear about: Kelli’s motivation: personal experience with her daughter diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in first gradeEarly red flags in kindergartenImportance of finding experts specializing in learning disabilitiesCreated Handwriting SolutionsServices expanded to reading and spelling due to overlapping student difficultiesComplexity of HandwritingHandwriting involves multiple foundational abilities: fine motor control, core stability, visual skills, etc.Emphasis on building foundational skills and explicit handwriting instructionFine Motor Control is one component of handwritingKelli examines pencil use and hand movements to understand fine motor abilitiesKey observation points: pressure, smoothnessDiscussion on different grasp patterns impacting handwritingInterconnectedness of Reading and WritingImportance of reading for information and recognizing the value of writingKelli highlights writing as a beneficial life skill beyond academics Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT Handwriting Expectations by Grade Levels from Handwriting Solutions Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity, research from Frontiers Brain research shows why handwriting should be taught in the computer-age Teacher training text for dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and oral and written language learning disability (OWL LD)Episode 5- Beyond 20/20 Vision: Understanding Crucial Aspects of Visual Assessment in ChildrenEpisode 21- Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to IntegrationEpisode 22- Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex IntegrationEpisode 23- Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better HandwritingEpisode 24- Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers Connect with our Guest, Kelli Fetter Kelli Fetter is a Certified Handwriting Specialist and the founder of Handwriting Solutions, LLC providing handwriting tutoring virtually and in- person. She practiced as an occupational therapist in pediatric outpatient, early intervention, preschools, and private schools. She also served as adjunct professor teaching pediatrics and kinesiology. Kelli has extensive training in handwriting and dysgraphia. Kelli’s passion is driven by her own daughter’s dyslexia & dysgraphia journey.
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    31 mins

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