The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

How Working Memory Shapes Literacy: Practical Tips to support the missing link between executive functioning and reading

06 Nov 2025

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Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! We unravel what executive functioning really means (hint: it's all about self-cueing from the inside out), explore how it underpins our ability to learn and accomplish everyday tasks, and examine its powerful connection to literacy. Tera shares her unique journey across disciplines—spanning neuroscience, psychology, occupational therapy, and more—which led her to develop innovative frameworks and a cognitive processing model now making waves in the field. You'll also hear practical strategies for parents and educators, including how to foster working memory at home, support literacy beyond just curriculum, and make use of game-changing tools like reflexive questioning. Whether you're supporting a struggling learner, homeschooling, or just curious about how our brains organize information to drive success, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable takeaways. In this episode you'll hear about: Tera's career journey: Starting in French and math, transitioning to speech language pathology. Tera's quest for holistic approaches: Education in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, occupational therapy, and cognitive linguistics. Development of Tera's personal cognitive processing model through interdisciplinary study. What is Executive Functioning? Tera's definition: "Self cueing from the inside out." Importance of internal versus external cues. The role of executive function interventions and how many are overly external. External Tools vs. Internal Skills Examples of external tools (planners, schedules, timers). Explanation that tools only work if internal executive function is present. The myth of tools being the ultimate solution (e.g., planners not solving disorganization). The need to support internal development rather than focusing solely on external aids. Executive Function and Literacy How executive functioning underpins literacy acquisition. Critical executive function skills involved in literacy Impact of impairments: Student disengagement, inability to absorb instruction. "Attention flashlight" metaphor: Directing mental energy during learning. Working Memory: The Literacy Bottleneck Types of working memory: Verbal and nonverbal. Verbal working memory as an initial step in phonics and reading. The developmental trajectory of working memory (not fully developed until mid-teens). Curriculum misalignments: Demanding more from working memory than a child might currently manage (e.g., CVC words). Identifying Executive Function Challenges in Literacy Signs of processing issues: Relearning phonics, stalled progress, rapid forgetting. Recommendations to seek professional assessment for accurate diagnosis. Importance of individualized approaches rather than rigidly sticking to curriculum tools. Practical Executive Function Activities Adjusting starting points to match the child's capacity (one or two sounds, not just three-letter words). Mention of specific programs (e.g., LiPS program, Phoneme Sequencing Program) and their techniques. Supporting Working Memory Throughout the Day The link between working memory, planning, and life skills. Importance for children with anxiety: Using mental rehearsal to reduce uncertainty. Role of Sensory Experience in Nonverbal Working Memory How the brain creates internal maps through sensory experiences. Play as critical for wiring nonverbal working memory—why screen-based learning can be limiting. Discussion of the brain's eight sensory systems (including proprioception, vestibular, and interoception). Integrating Multi-disciplinary Insights Tera's expertise combines OT, SLP, neuroscience, psychology, and linguistics. Bringing together disparate concepts for parents to understand executive function holistically. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy? Connect with Sarah Collins on IG The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers Executive Functioning For Teens Course Gratitude Builds Flexibility For Executive Function Tera's Website Tera's Book & Resources Tera's Online Community Connect With Tera On Instagram Connect With Tera On Facebook Connect With Our Guest, Tera Sumpter Tera Sumpter, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the author of the internationally best-selling book, The Seeds of Learning and founder of Seeds of Learning, LLC, a private practice in Cleveland, Ohio specializing in executive function, reading, speech, language, writing, and other pediatric learning challenges. She leads a global online community for professionals and families focused on executive function, presents her cognitive processing model nationally and internationally, and creates practical EF resources for professionals and parents. Tera is an adjunct instructor We unravel what executive functioning really means (hint: it's all about self-cueing from the inside out), explore how it underpins our ability to learn and accomplish everyday tasks, and examine its powerful connection to literacy. Tera shares her unique journey across disciplines—spanning neuroscience, psychology, occupational therapy, and more—which led her to develop innovative frameworks and a cognitive processing model now making waves in the field. You'll also hear practical strategies for parents and educators, including how to foster working memory at home, support literacy beyond just curriculum, and make use of game-changing tools like reflexive questioning. Whether you're supporting a struggling learner, homeschooling, or just curious about how our brains organize information to drive success, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable takeaways. In this episode you'll hear about: Tera's career journey: Starting in French and math, transitioning to speech language pathology. Tera's quest for holistic approaches: Education in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, occupational therapy, and cognitive linguistics. Development of Tera's personal cognitive processing model through interdisciplinary study. What is Executive Functioning? Tera's definition: "Self cueing from the inside out." Importance of internal versus external cues. The role of executive function interventions and how many are overly external. External Tools vs. Internal Skills Examples of external tools (planners, schedules, timers). Explanation that tools only work if internal executive function is present. The myth of tools being the ultimate solution (e.g., planners not solving disorganization). The need to support internal development rather than focusing solely on external aids. Executive Function and Literacy How executive functioning underpins literacy acquisition. Critical executive function skills involved in literacy Impact of impairments: Student disengagement, inability to absorb instruction. "Attention flashlight" metaphor: Directing mental energy during learning. Working Memory: The Literacy Bottleneck Types of working memory: Verbal and nonverbal. Verbal working memory as an initial step in phonics and reading. The developmental trajectory of working memory (not fully developed until mid-teens). Curriculum misalignments: Demanding more from working memory than a child might currently manage (e.g., CVC words). Identifying Executive Function Challenges in Literacy Signs of processing issues: Relearning phonics, stalled progress, rapid forgetting. Recommendations to seek professional assessment for accurate diagnosis. Importance of individualized approaches rather than rigidly sticking to curriculum tools. Practical Executive Function Activities Adjusting starting points to match the child's capacity (one or two sounds, not just three-letter words). Mention of specific programs (e.g., LiPS program, Phoneme Sequencing Program) and their techniques. Supporting Working Memory Throughout the Day The link between working memory, planning, and life skills. Importance for children with anxiety: Using mental rehearsal to reduce uncertainty. Role of Sensory Experience in Nonverbal Working Memory How the brain creates internal maps through sensory experiences. Play as critical for wiring nonverbal working memory—why screen-based learning can be limiting. Discussion of the brain's eight sensory systems (including proprioception, vestibular, and interoception). Integrating Multi-disciplinary Insights Tera's expertise combines OT, SLP, neuroscience, psychology, and linguistics. Bringing together disparate concepts for parents to understand executive function holistically. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy? Connect with Sarah Collins on IG The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers Executive Functioning For Teens Course Gratitude Builds Flexibility For Executive Function Tera's Website Tera's Book & Resources Tera's Online Community Connect With Tera On Instagram Connect With Tera On Facebook Connect With Our Guest, Tera Sumpter Tera Sumpter, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the author of the internationally best-selling book, The Seeds of Learning and founder of Seeds of Learning, LLC, a private practice in Cleveland, Ohio specializing in executive function, reading, speech, language, writing, and other pediatric learning challenges. She leads a global online community for professionals and families focused on executive function, presents her cognitive processing model nationally and internationally, and creates practical EF resources for professionals and parents. Tera is an adjunct instructor

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13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

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The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

How Working Memory Shapes Literacy: Practical Tips to support the missing link between executive functioning and reading

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

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