Helping Kids Name What's happening Inside

If you're a homeschool parent who's ever wondered why your child has trouble noticing hunger, thirst, needing the bathroom, or even pinpointing their emotions, this episode may help you look at things differently. Many parents are familiar with sensory challenges, but interoception—sometimes called the eighth sense—isn't often discussed outside of occupational therapy. Understanding interoception can change the way you see emotional regulation struggles, help you respond to meltdowns with more empathy, and offer kids more meaningful ways to communicate what's happening inside their bodies. In this episode of The OT is IN, Sarah is joined by occupational therapist and interoception expert Kelly Mahler to explore what interoception really is, why it matters for homeschoolers, and what it looks like to help children put words to their inner experiences. You'll hear practical ways parents can model paying attention to internal cues, why validating a child's unique body language and feelings matters, and how this knowledge can lay the groundwork for self-advocacy and emotional growth at home. Real-life examples, like a child whose "buzzy tongue" signaled anxiety, make these ideas accessible and adaptable—even if the labels and strategies are different for every family. Thanks to Lovevery for sponsoring today's show.  You can get 10% off the Reading Skillset using the code HomeschoolOT10.  Check it out here.  In this episode you'll hear about: What interoception is, why it's sometimes called the "eighth sense," and how it influences everything from hunger and thirst to anxiety and self-awareness The connection between body signals, emotions, and self-regulation, and why traditional emotion charts may not work for every child Simple, real-world ways parents can model noticing and narrating their own internal states to help children build language and awareness Why validating a child's unique ways of describing body sensations ("noodley brain" or "buzzy tongue") supports trust, communication, and growth How interoception awareness links to language development, self-advocacy, and feeling safe in sharing inner experiences Practical tips for getting started with kids of all ages—even teens—and adapting sensory activities to fit your family and comfort level An overview of Kelly Mahler's interoception curriculum and how it can be used flexibly within a homeschool environment Links and Resources From Today's Show Make sure to join our OT INsiders Membership Here Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy? Connect with Sarah Collins on IG The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers Connect With Kelly On IG Here Connect with Kelly On Linkedin Here The Interoception Curriculum Noticing My Body Signals Check Out Our Title Sponsor Lovevery Learning RX Website Related OT is IN episodes Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance Episode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo Episode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool Episode 16: Navigating the Interoceptive Sense: Insights and Strategies for Parents Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry Episode 29: Parenting with Co-Regulation Episode 48: Transforming Fashion for Sensory Needs: An Interview with Julia, Adaptive Apparel Pioneer Episode 53: Redefining Rest: An approach to Spiritual, Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Rest Episode 59: Translating OT Concepts: Creating a Children's Book for Sensory Processing Awareness Episode 72: Navigating Sibling Sensory Needs and Homeschooling Wins and Fails Episode 80: Raising Resilient Kids Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here. Connect With Our Guest, Kelly Mahler Kelly Mahler is an award-winning occupational therapist, author, and interoception groupie known for her boundless curiosity and empathetic approach. Holding a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, she has served school-aged children and adults for over 22 years. Kelly is author of 12 resources including The Interoception Curriculum, now used in over 30 countries worldwide. She enjoys speaking internationally on interoception, neuro-affirming practices, and playful strategies for inner exploration using a lens of curiosity, validation and empathy.