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Rethinking Rhythm: Starting With Your Child, Not the Curriculum

Rethinking Rhythm: Starting With Your Child, Not the Curriculum

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 Download The Companion Guide For Acceptance & Expectancy In Homeschooling Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! If your homeschool days seem to run smoothly one season and unravel the next, this episode will help you understand why. Today we're exploring how the rhythm of your day shifts as your children grow and why what worked before may suddenly feel impossible. In homeschooling, these changes aren't problems to fix, but transitions to understand. I'll walk you through how I observe children's patterns and needs using a practical framework: the PEO model—person, environment, and occupation. You'll learn why starting with curriculum often misses the mark, and how putting your child's individuality, regulation, and interests at the center creates learning that actually sticks. This matters because in a homeschool setting, you have the flexibility to shape both space and schedule to fit where your child is developmentally. Recognizing these shifts gives you clearer options, replaces urgency with confidence, and helps you build days that support connection before curriculum, especially for kids who didn't fit in traditional environments. In this episode you'll hear about: Understanding Changes in Homeschool RhythmRecognizing developmental shifts versus problems to fixConcept of "Connection over Curriculum"Managing Urgency and Educational DecisionsStress around leaving traditional school or seeking a fresh homeschool startThe tendency to rush into curriculum choicesThe Foundation: Start with the Child, Not the CurriculumEducation works best when child-centered, not curriculum-centeredIntroduction to the PEO Model (Person, Environment, Occupation)Two key truths: Parents know and love their child bestScriptural reference: Ephesians 2:10—children as unique and purposefulReference to Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy—children as "born persons"Definition of acceptance (seeing the child without comparison or urgency)Definition of expectancy (believing in meaningful and supported growth)Importance of holding both acceptance and expectancy togetherObserving and Understanding Your Child (The OT Lens)Observational strategies for understanding "the person" in the PEO modelNoticing regulation and sensory needsNoticing the role of joy and interests as "doorways" into learningShifting Away From "What's Wrong" to "What's Needed"Changing focus from problems to supports needed for a child to thrivePrioritizing connection and emotional safety before curriculumThe Neuroscience Behind Connection and LearningIntroduction to Stephen Porges and Polyvagal TheoryEnvironment: Designing Supportive Spaces and RhythmsAdapting Rhythms as Children GrowPractical Examples of Supporting Regulation and RhythmStory of a preschooler whose meltdowns improved with a more predictable daily flowStory of a teenager whose engagement improved by shifting his schedule later in the dayEnvironmental Reflections for ListenersInviting listeners to evaluate and make simple changes to their physical spaces and daily anchorsUsing Interests to Drive LearningIdentifying interests via observation in free time and conversationPractical examples of adapting curriculum and learning activities to interests and needs (movement, chunking tasks, choice) Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Companion Guide For Acceptance & Expectancy In HomeschoolingWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersHomeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning Guide Polyvagal Theory: A Science of SafetySystematic Review of School-Wide Trauma-Informed Approaches Check Out Our Title Sponsor LoveveryLearning RX WebsiteEpisode 4: The Evolving Landscape of Homeschool Community SupportEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha BerryEpisode 18: Practical Sleep Solutions for Children: Insights from Occupational Therapy Episode 28: Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child DevelopmentEpisode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney B. Explains it All Episode 48: Transforming Fashion for Sensory Needs: An Interview with Julia, Adaptive Apparel Pioneer Episode 50: Ask The OT, A Special 50th Episode Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.
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