Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Download The Companion Guide For Why Reading Is Hard And What To Do About It If you've ever wondered why reading feels so different from day to day in your homeschool—why one lesson is smooth and the next is an uphill climb—this episode is for you. Today, we're looking at the five pillars of literacy from a more connected, practical lens. Instead of treating phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as isolated skills, I'll show you how each one is woven into a child's sensory world, routines, and relationships and why that makes all the difference in homeschooling. We'll talk about environments that invite learning, habits that build confidence, and the subtle reasons a child's body and brain might resist or lean into reading. This approach matters because homeschool parents see the full picture academic progress and daily life blend together. Recognizing the signs beneath reading struggles lets you reframe tough moments, offer the right support, and help literacy grow in ways that feel meaningful and sustainable for your family. In this episode you'll hear about: The Five Pillars of LiteracyOverview of each pillarCharlotte Mason's Educational PhilosophyConnection between Mason's philosophy and the five literacy pillarsDescription of a learning-rich home environmentEducation as DisciplineEducation as LifeImportance of connecting reading to passions and curiosityIntegrating Occupational Therapy (OT) PerspectiveUnderstanding the "Person" (Child)Understanding the "Environment"Understanding the "Occupation" (Task of Reading)Applying OT and Mason's Approach to Each Literacy PillarPhonemic AwarenessWhy movement helps learning soundsPhonicsFluencyVocabularyComprehensionAddressing Broader Reading ChallengesDistinguishing skill deficits from motivation or intelligenceEncouragement for parents: challenges often relate to supportable systems Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Companion Guide For Why Reading Is Hard And What To Do About ItWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersWhere To Get OTCheck Out These Montessori LettersCheck Out The Scooter BoardStomp Stilts Mentioned In The EpisodeKnow And Tell: The Art Of NarrationCheck Out Our BlogEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior In Homeschooling- Sensory Overwhelm, Emotional Control, PerseveranceEpisode 5: Beyond 20/20 vision: understanding crucial aspects of visual assessment in children Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara KosinskiEpisode 25: Understanding Hippotherapy: Therapeutic Equestrian Activities for Children's DevelopmentEpisode 37: Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children Episode 58: Practical Tips for handwriting- how to know and what to do if the issue is motor planning Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for FamiliesEpisode 66: Building Connection Through Language Episode 71: When the Diagnosis Isn't the Destination: Encouragement for Parents Navigating Neurodiversity Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their products and resources here.