Rethinking Note Taking: Strategies, Mindsets, and Making It Work for Your Child

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! who specializes in reading and writing instruction. Together, we dive deep into the world of note taking—what it really means, why it’s essential, and how it can be tailored to fit every kind of learner (yes, even the ones who love doodling during Shark Week!). Michelle shares her personal journey of transitioning from traditional teaching to homeschooling her neurodivergent daughter, and how this experience shaped her approach to individualized learning. The conversation covers everything from the benefits of classic note taking methods like Cornell Notes, to the creative freedom of sketchnoting, to practical strategies for kids who struggle with handwriting or prefer digital tools. Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, an educator, or someone just curious about how to help learners capture and process information in ways that work for them, this episode is packed with actionable tips and a refreshing reminder: the best notes are the ones your child will actually take. In this episode you'll hear about: Brief overview of Michelle’s background as both a homeschooling parent and a college professorMichelle’s unexpected journey into homeschooling due to her daughter’s needsComparison of homeschooling environment vs. public school and college-level teachingTransition from traditional teaching to online homeschool classes for middle and high schoolersCommunity and philosophy behind her educational approachMichelle’s Teaching Platform and CommunityIntroduction to Dayla LearningDescription of available classes, resources, and the supportive parent communityThe Role and Value of Note TakingAddressing parental concerns about note taking and working memoryIs note taking necessary in the digital age?Emphasis on note taking as a process rather than a productValue of making thought processes external and the variability among individual learnersAnecdotes demonstrating different note-taking styles (color-coding, outlines, etc.)Importance of experimentation and flexibility with note takingNote Taking Methods: Personal ExperiencesSarah’s experiences teaching her son to take notes using Shark Week as a topicReflection on traditional outline format and contrast with her son’s drawing/sketchnoting styleThe challenge of letting go of preconceived ideas about note-taking formatsResearch and Best Practices in Note TakingExplicit Note-Taking Strategies and Teaching ApproachesSketchnotingVisual note-taking as a supplement to standard methodsUse of mind maps, columns, bullet points, and illustrationsCustomization and Flexibility in Note TakingThe value of having multiple templates and options for different subjects (e.g., timelines for history, concept maps for analysis)Encouraging learners to create their own templates and systemsHandwriting vs. Digital Note TakingResearch indicating the benefits of handwriting for retention, with caveats regarding digital nativesPrioritizing accessibility and separating skills as needed (writing vs. synthesizing content)Supporting students who struggle with handwriting through guided notes and breaking down tasksAnnotation as a Note-Taking MethodBenefits of annotating texts (writing in books or using transparent sticky notes)Michelle’s personal annotation symbol system and its long-term usefulnessAnnotation as a lower-pressure way for reluctant writers to engage with contentPracticing Note Taking Across FormatsIn-class practice: taking notes on articles, videos, stories, and visual materialsSelf-evaluation of strategies to foster metacognition and executive functioningRecommended Resources and ToolsPrepped Cornell Note material (printed or drawn)Direct instruction resources (e.g., YouTube library tutorials)Hands-on, personalized approaches (choosing or designing their own materials) Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGGames That Teach Executive FunctionExecutive Functioning For Teens CourseVerbal to Visuals: Sketchnoting With Cornell Notes Cornell Note-Taking System From Cornell Itself! Middle School Writing Foundations Series: Setting Up for Long-Term Academic Writing Success!Connect With Michelle On FacebookDaya LearningEpisode 10: Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive FunctioningEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy BodkinEpisode 12: Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting Episode 59: Translating OT Concepts: Creating a Children’s Book for Sensory Processing Awareness Connect With Our Guest, Michelle Parrinello-Cason Michelle Parrinello-Cason is a writer, educator, and lifelong seeker of stories that embrace tension and complexity. She holds a Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition from Saint Louis University, where she...