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| Date: From: Subject: | 12/13/2012 2:24:50 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Struggling Learner--Top Ten Lessons from an Occupational Therapist Part I |
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---------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner Newsletter December 2012 -- Top Ten Homeschooling Lessons from an Occupational Therapist Part I ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---[ The program that takes the struggle out of spelling! ]----------- All About Spelling is an excellent multi-senory, logical program if you are just beginning to teach your child spelling, or if your child needs remedial help. Download sample lesson plans FREE! http://www.hslda.org/alink.asp?id=566 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- by Jean A. Wetherilt, OTR/L Occupational therapy addresses areas that may be impeding a child's full participation and developmental progress in school, play and social situations with the goal of making the child as independent as possible. In my adventure as a homeschool mom, I discovered a lifetime of lessons. Here are ten that hopefully will encourage homeschooling parents to stay the course as well as inspire new paths. (Look for the other five in January's newsletter.) 1. Build the foundations for academic learning. "Child development is sequential, one skill builds upon another. Physical components such as postural control, equilibrium responses and bilateral integration form the developmental foundation. As one moves around, across, under, through and over surfaces and objects, the body receives sensations that are then processed to build these developmental components." ("Walks on The Wildside, Book One in a Series on Theraparent: A Guide for Creatively Promoting Motor skills in Children," Jean A Wetherilt, OTR/L) Homeschooling students are not limited by a classroom or by someone else's schedule, and therefore can be provided with more opportunities to build a foundation. The only thing dictating the parent's choices to spend more time on specific skill areas is the student's progress and performance. It is possible that a parent can fit in time for home programs that have been designed by the child's therapists and therefore assist in establishing a foundation. Homeschooling parents can be fully capable of being their child's teacher and "theraparent". 2. Use hands-on learning. Although many formal schools recognize the importance of projects and using manipulatives for subjects such as math, these time-consuming activities are frequently the first to go when the schedule is tight. Workbooks are easier, neater and faster. Homeschoolers now have access to many well-written curriculums that are built on methods of learning that go beyond the printed page, utilizing real world activities to supplement academic learning. Homeschooling students can also take advantage of opportunities to use their hands while serving the community in places such as soup kitchens and community gardens. 3. Teach life skills that lead to independence. Some schools spend time, money and effort to re-create places where students can develop skills in cooking, laundry, wood shop and even auto maintenance. In our homeschools, learning centers for these subjects already exist! The only challenge here is for homeschooling teachers to put these skills into the school schedule and calendar without feeling guilty regarding the relative value of these activities. 4. Allow room and flexibility for the kinesthetic learner. Yes, it is okay to break up math lessons into five-minute increments or to let your child stand at his desk! Go ahead and practice those spelling words while jumping on a trampoline or learn prepositional terms while doing an animal walk through an obstacle course. 5. For those who need a sensory diet (actually most of us!), be intentional about adding individualized activities to the daily routine. Sensory Diet defined - An individualized activity plan that provides the sensory input to assist a person's ability to attend, stay focused and self-regulate his/her state of alertness throughout the day (Patricia Wilbarger, OT). If a person's nervous system is in a state of high arousal, then an activity that is calming may be a good idea; and if in a low state of arousal, then a stimulating activity may be appropriate. The effects of sensory diet activities on the nervous system can be cumulative, so that if you spend 20 minutes doing something active you may gain an additional 60 minutes of productive time. Next month, Jean will continue to discuss the remaining "Top 10" lessons she's learned as a homeschooling mom. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles: A Fresh and Demystifying Approach by Carol Barnier http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16474 Life Skills for Kids: Equipping Your Child for the Real World by Christine M. Field http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16475 Luke's Life List (Individual Education Planner); and Luke's Academics List by Joyce Herzog http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16476 Talkers, Watchers and Doers by Cheri Fuller http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16477 The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16478 * Walks on The Wildside, Book One in a Series on Theraparent: A Guide for Creatively Promoting Motor skills in Children by Jean A Wetherilt, OTR/L Jean Wetherilt, OTR/L Jean is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in the treatment of developmental delays, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing disorders. She is founder and owner of PossAbilities, a therapy clinic in Merriam, KS. In addition to her private practice, she is the special needs coordinator for Midwest Parent Educators). Jean and her husband of 29 years have two children (homeschool and college graduates). Contact Jean at: jwetherilt@hotmail.com www.poss-abilities.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Is customer service an art or a science? For us, good customer service is both an art and a science -it should appeal to our members and be effective. Consider what our members say about us: The freedom HSLDA allows me to have as I homeschool is wonderful! They handle the law and I get to dedicate the time to my daughter. - National City, CA HSLDA members since 1993, our membership is just as important to us as our children's curriculum. 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