Decoding Behavior in Homeschooling: Sensory Overwhelm, Emotional Control, and Perseverance

In this episode, we'll be delving into the complex topic of sensory versus behavior in children. I teach the importance of asking the right questions as parents to truly understand the reasons behind certain behaviors. I talk about the challenges of homeschooling and parenting in a world filled with diverse opinions and resources. Providing practical tips and insights, I share the latest neuroscience behind behavior and offer guidance on how to regulate children's nervous systems before, during, and after engaging in different activities.   In this episode you'll hear about: Introduction to the Topic of Sensory vs Behavior  Exploring the challenges of determining if behavior is sensory-related or not  Sharing personal experiences as an OT and acknowledging past mistakes  Emphasizing the importance of asking questions as parents and educators  Challenges of Homeschooling and Parenting  Discussing the abundance of resources and conflicting advice in homeschooling and parenting  Highlighting the emotional challenges and feelings of guilt and fear faced by parents  Emphasizing that there is no one right way to parent or educate children  Discussing scenarios where children exhibit resistance or anger towards certain activities  Reflecting on past experiences where therapy was not provided due to the child's behavior  Acknowledging past shortcomings and committing to continuous learning and improvement  Understanding the Fight, Flight, and Freeze Response  Exploring the neuroscience behind the fight, flight, and freeze response  Describing the automatic nature of the response and the involvement of different brain structures  Providing examples of stimuli and the body's automatic responses in different situations  Discussing the concept of authority as a parent and educator  Emphasizing the need for mutual trust and understanding in the parent-child relationship  Sharing personal experiences of co-regulating with children and modeling coping skills  Exploring the concept of before, during, and after when engaging children in activities  Discussing the importance of explaining the purpose of activities to children  Sharing examples of regulating activities and the importance of processing experiences with children  Emphasizing the role of verbal processing and inviting children to contribute to conversations  Highlighting the applicability of these strategies to children at different developmental stages  Links and Resources From Today's Show Is it Sensory or Behavior? Understanding Challenging Behavior Free Sensory Vs Behavior Checklist A Homeschooler's Guide to Sensory Processing & the Eight SensorySystems Two Important Sensory Systems Affecting Learning in the Homeschool Adding Movement Breaks to the Homeschool Day Sensory Input Activity List Sensory Balanced Homeschool Focus Group