Teaching Kids Healthy Habits: Building Lifelong Wellness

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out!  I am joined by Ashton Tate, a passionate innovator in the homeschool community and creator of the FORM curriculum. Ashton takes us on a deeply personal journey, sharing how his own struggles with health, self-confidence, and weight in his teen years inspired him to transform not only his life, but the lives of countless children and families across the country. In this episode you'll hear about: Ashton's Health Transformation Journey Issues with self-confidence and health during middle and high school Struggling with weight and lack of health knowledge Major personal transformation: losing 130 pounds by graduation Influence of mentors and support systems Building a Career in Health and Fitness Initial interest in helping others through personal training Switching college degree to focus on health Founding a home gym and building a local training facility Transition to Online Health Education and Curriculum Development Challenges of in-person training during COVID-19 Recurring feedback from adult clients: wishing they'd learned these principles as kids The inspiration to create a health curriculum for children Creation and Structure of the Health Curriculum for Kids Collaborating with curriculum writers and kids' authors Making health concepts simple and accessible for younger audiences Development of an online platform for families and schools nationwide The Role of Occupational Therapy and Body Awareness Overview of occupational therapy in the context of homeschool and health Defining body awareness and its relationship to fitness Discussion of cultural pressure and guilt around fitness Understanding Hunger, Nutrition, and Interoception Ashton's personal experiences with food habits and cues during adolescence The challenge of distinguishing hunger, thirst, and emotional states in children Introducing interoception and its role in fitness and nutrition Teaching Nutrition: "Food as Fuel" and "Food as Fun" The importance of balancing healthy eating with occasional treats Methods for helping kids become intentional and mindful about food choices Using analogies (like cars needing fuel) to explain nutrition to children Practical Strategies for Families Emphasizing simplicity in health routines and messaging Navigating conflicting nutrition advice and keeping it approachable Sharing personal anecdotes (like sports nutrition questions from Connie's son) The FORM Curriculum: Four Pillars for Healthy Living Explanation of the FORM methodology: Functional Fitness: Routine movement and physical activity Optimal Nourishment: Balanced nutrition and healthy eating habits Rest and Recovery: Preventive routines for sleep and stress management Multiplied Maintenance: Maintaining habits through community, goal setting, and support Encouraging long-term health habits over quick fixes Addressing Resistance and Engagement in Kids Occupational Therapy Strategies for Increasing Body Awareness Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy? Connect with Sarah Collins on IG Executive Functioning For Teens Course Handwriting Motor Assessment Connect With Ashton On IG FORM PE Website Episode 7: How Form Drawing Supports Vision, Handwriting, and Academics Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo Episode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting Episode 24: Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers Episode 28: Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development Episode 37: Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children Episode 40: Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills Episode 51: Supporting Neurodivergent Kids in Neurotypical Spaces: Practical Tips and Insights Episode 53: Redefining Rest: An approach to Spiritual, Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Rest Connect With Our Guest, Ashton Tate Ashton Tate is the founder of Glory to Glory Fitness in Nashville, TN and the creator of The F.O.R.M. Curriculum. He partners with homeschool families all over America to help them approach health and PE from a Biblical worldview. His mission is to equip and empower homeschool families so every student in America can have a quality health education. His work has been featured in publications such as USA Today and Fox News.