Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

Today, we are thrilled to have the incredible Leslie Martino, join us. She is a homeschooling mom, educator, and author of the inspiring book "The Joy of Slow." Join our conversation about the importance of slowing down in learning, finding balance, and igniting a love for education. Leslie shares invaluable insights about turning challenges into meaningful learning experiences, fostering resilience, and embracing expansive time. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or new to the journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips that will enrich your educational approach.

• Discussion on Rigor vs. Preparation
• Differentiating between rigor and preparation
• Parents' misconception about rigorous learning
• Holistic and meaningful education
• Ideal learning state: relaxed alertness
• Importance of meaningful and engaging learning experiences
• Avoiding mindless productivity
• Integrating leisure and hard work in learning
• Concept of slow learning, going deeper with learning rather than broader
• Addressing learning gaps
• Fear of missing out on opportunities
• The misconception of control in education
• Different aspects of time beyond productivity
• Time for rest, passion, creativity, and reflection
• Taking time for meaningful learning experiences
• Importance of processing and noticing
• Examples outside conventional subjects
• Metacognition: Learning how you learn
• Strategies for integrating reflection including conversations with children or writing reflections
• Value of child's self-assessment in their learning process
• Recap of the importance of expansive and reflective learning
• Noticing and embracing the child's perspective in education

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Tips to Improve Prioritization - The OT Toolbox
• What is Executive Function? Course from Homeschool OT
• Exploring the Occupation of Rest - Research Paper
• Different Kinds of Rest - Chronic Resilience OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 10- Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Episode 11- Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 12- Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
• The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning
• Follow Leslie Martino on Instagram

Leslie M Martino has over twenty years of experience teaching—as an elementary school teacher, a home educator, and an adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the role of the teacher in supporting children’s individual work preferences. She homeschools her four children and works as an educational consultant, writing curricula, training teachers, and coaching parents to approach learning in an interest-based and child-directed way. She is a speaker on topics of education and motherhood and is also a contributing writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

In this episode, we'll explore Nicole Santiago's approach to collaborative problem-solving, her emphasis on intrinsic motivation, and how she successfully integrates these strategies into both her professional work and personal life. Nicole is a seasoned IEP coach and special education advocate, bringing a wealth of experience from her background as a dual-language teacher and a dedicated homeschooling mom. With a focus on neurodivergent families, particularly those navigating autism and ADHD, Nicole is here to share valuable insights into creating more inclusive and supportive educational environments.

We'll also touch on the importance of family dynamics, the role of advocacy in understanding ADHD, and how Nicole leverages tools like the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) to highlight and build on a child's strengths. From discussing flexible schooling options to the necessity of family meetings, Nicole’s expertise sheds light on actionable ways parents and educators can foster a culture of kindness, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Former dual language teacher with a specialty in Spanish for middle and high school students.
• Homeschooling experience with her own son diagnosed with ADHD.
• Rich history of supporting families in the special education system.
• Inspired by Dr. Ross Green's collaborative problem-solving methods.
• Focus on intrinsic motivation and mastery learning over traditional grading.
• Merits and challenges of homeschooling vs. public schooling.
• Tailoring education to fit individual family and child needs.
• Encouraging students to self-assess and use peer feedback.
• Addressing underlying issues affecting a child's behavior, such as undiagnosed learning disabilities or home troubles.
• Adopting firm boundaries with supportive measures for a functional family dynamic.
• Effective parent coaching emphasizing respect, curiosity, and firmness.
• Utilizing family meetings to foster culture and solve problems collaboratively.
• Creative approaches to generating solutions, allowing flexibility in task completion.
• Managing ADHD with Tools like Trello for task management.
• Nicole’s personal experience and insights on the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD.
• Strengths-Based Educational Approach:
• Utilizing the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) in IEP and ART meetings.
• Personalized learning projects involving second-language vocabulary and local immersive activities.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Reverse Planning Journal from Homeschool OT
• What are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips can Build Executive Functioning
• What are Executive Functioning Skills? - Course from Homeschool OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning with Mandy Doman
• Episode 10 - Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Give Grace and Reject Shame by Nicole
• Follow Family ADDventures on Instagram
• Like Family ADDventures on Facebook

Nicole Santiago, M. Ed, AC, is a disability advocate and learning specialist. She is the founder of Family ADDventures- a disability advocacy and training organization. We support neurodivergent students (and their families) so they thrive at school and in life!