Before academics, worksheets, or curriculum—there’s one foundational question:
Is my child ready to learn?
Learning starts with the body.
In this conversation, we are joined by Sarah Collins, homeschool mom and occupational therapist behind Homeschool OT.
Sarah helps us step into an OT’s perspective on learning readiness by unpacking retained primitive reflexes, regulation, and how to observe our kids with new eyes.
Together, we explore:
- What an OT does and how they support learning at home
- What primitive reflexes are, with a focus on the Moro reflex and ATNR
- The downstream impacts of unintegrated reflexes—on attention, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and reading
- Practical first steps for parents noticing challenges with regulation, readiness, and felt-safety
- Practical starting points for parents who feel maxed out or burned out
Sarah brings both expertise and empathy, reminding parents that you don’t have to do everything—just start where you are, with what you have.
Listen to the other episodes in the “Starting Where You Are” series:
Sarah Collins
Sarah is a licensed occupational therapist and homeschooling parent who brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to the homeschooling world. Founder of Homeschool OT, Sarah supports families in creating learning environments that truly fit their children—especially those with sensory, executive functioning, or regulation challenges.
After years of working in pediatric and home health therapy, Sarah saw firsthand how powerful home-based learning could be. Since 2019, she has dedicated her work to helping parents understand readiness, build supportive rhythms, and design environments that make learning possible and joyful. Through consultations, classes, and her podcast, OT is IN, Sarah offers practical strategies grounded in compassion, flexibility, and respect for each child’s natural development.
Her mission is simple: to help families start where they are, trust their child’s process, and discover that learning flows best when nervous systems feel safe.
Resources and Support
Learn more about Sarah, her classes and consulting at Homeschool OT
Listen to Sarah’s podcast The Homeschool OT Is In
- Episode 21: Exploring Primitive Reflexes
- Episode 22: Play-Based Reflex Integration
- Video for Kids on Retained Reflexes
Check out Day in the Life (DITL) Community.
- DITL is a community of parents who gather weekly to learn, reflect, and support one another as we homeschool with heart. Each month we welcome a guest expert like Sarah, and every day we build community through shared learning, encouragement, and friendship through our asynchronous video chats on Marco Polo.
Kelly offers one-on-one coaching and a self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
- There is also Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, for those who prefer community learning.
- Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.
At the end of the day, trust your instincts and explore alternatives to what isn’t working!
I’d love to connect personally, find me on Instagram.
You’re doing a great job, let’s make it easier!
Kelly
Be Featured on the Podcast!
The 90-Minute School Day™ podcast aims to support all homeschooling families with a focus on neurodiverse families, with learning differences and unique learning styles. Be featured on the podcast by sharing your story, struggle or asking your question here. Or leave your recording by clicking the mic below.
