Foundations For Learning, LLC

11/03/2025

Preschoolers who can clap to a beat may have a head start in learning to read. This fascinating connection between music and literacy is rooted in how the brain processes rhythm. Music and language share similar brain wiring, which is why children who engage in rhythmic activities like clapping often find it easier to pick up reading skills later on. It’s an exciting revelation that can help shape how we approach early childhood education.

This insight shows that rhythm and music aren't just fun, they play a crucial role in brain development. The ability to follow a beat helps with phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds—which is foundational for reading. Encouraging young children to clap, sing, or dance to a rhythm could give them an edge when it comes to learning to read.

It’s not just about making music fun; it's about utilizing the brain's natural wiring to make learning easier. By fostering an early love for music and rhythm, we can help children develop key skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey. The brain’s connection between rhythm and language is something that can be harnessed in the classroom for great results.

Rhythm can also be a calming tool for children, helping them to focus and regulate their emotions. It’s a holistic approach to education that goes beyond reading and writing. Introducing music and rhythm at an early age sets the stage for a well-rounded, balanced approach to learning. It’s a tool for both cognitive and emotional development.

Incorporating rhythm and music into education doesn’t just benefit reading—it also helps children improve their concentration and coordination. The impact of these early musical experiences can continue throughout a child’s life, enhancing their overall cognitive function and social-emotional well-being.

If you’ve ever seen a child tap their feet or clap along to a song, remember: they’re building skills that will serve them for years to come. Music isn’t just entertainment; it’s a tool for learning and growing. 🎶📚

10/03/2025

PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day is on October 9th! There are many ways to get involved. Join us!

https://neuroimmune.org/get-involved/pans-pandas-awareness-day/

09/30/2025

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Technology has no place in kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8). Research shows that learning through books, writing with pencil and paper, and engaging in dialogue with real people builds the strongest foundation for education. These traditional methods provide not only cognitive benefits but also emotional and practical skills that prepare children for lifelong learning.

One striking example comes from the Waldorf School of the Peninsula in Silicon Valley, a prestigious private school attended by the children of technology executives. Despite its location in the heart of the tech industry, the school has zero technology in grades K-8.

On its website, the school states: “Brain research tells us that media exposure can result in changes in the actual nerve network in the brain, which affects such things as eye tracking (a necessary skill for successful reading), neurotransmitter levels, and how readily students receive the imaginative pictures that are foundational for learning.”

This approach reflects a deliberate choice: to prioritize human interaction, creativity, and deep learning over early exposure to screens. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, less technology can mean more growth.

Sources:
Waldorf School of the Peninsula. "Educational Philosophy." 2023.
Armstrong, Thomas. The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice. ASCD, 2006.

08/02/2025

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMfY18iTrQc/?igsh=NWVjbnI0NWZ2cjgz

07/12/2025

I use 2 balls with this activity-with L hand, bounce for up/L…with R hand, bounce for down/R.
An interesting option for kids that have better control: bounce both balls together (on arrow L and arrow R) and try and catch with both hands for ‘H’ which can be either one, etc.

07/04/2025

Check this out!

Our fearless (and wonderfully clumsy) koala buddy Crashy learned how to tie his shoes today with the help of Greg Santucci, Occupational Therapist, and he wants to share how easy it can be with you!

Crashy was getting soooooo frustrated trying to make his 'bunny ears', but not anymore! 🐰👟

Check out the link in the comments to learn from our article and video—discover Greg's technique that teaches kids how to tie their shoes fast, plus some fun alternatives if they're not quite there yet!

07/04/2025

You can’t talk a dysregulated child into calm with logic — their brain isn’t there yet. 🧠💛
But your calm presence? That’s the bridge back to safety, and eventually, back to reason.
Regulate first. The rest will follow.

06/29/2025

06/21/2025

This is good!!

05/11/2025

I wanted to take this opportunity to tell the mamas that I have had the privilege of working with over many years-Happy Mother’s Day!!

You have lived and shown in word and deed what it means to be a mother.
You have fought for and protected and supported your kiddos thru many challenges.
You see, you know their great potential and you are committed to their well-being, with much sacrifice to your own needs.
This is hard, but this is beautiful-because this is truly what love is.
May God bless you and your families, and may you always know that the God who gave you the child you have the privilege to raise….He sees you.
None of your efforts are in vain.
You are doing the most important work.
You are investing in the HEARTS of unique individuals like no other. And because of your love and steadfast giving/serving, they are whole.
YOU are irreplaceable. ❤️

04/10/2025

We NEVER worked on handwriting! 😳
Check this out!!

The first 2 lines were done in early February. The variations for extra visual feedback were provided to see if either version would assist him w/line stabilization or spacing. Often something as simple as this can provide the necessary help for organization with writing.
The 2nd two lines were 2 months later! Look at the difference in product w/less visual information!

✍🏻What is so important to note is that there has been minimal ‘practicing of’ or ‘focus on’ writing in OT. The focus instead has been on the foundational
components of perceptual-motor organization, visual-spatial processing, planning & sequencing movement, other visual skills, executive function, etc.
Until the brain has efficiently worked through more of these foundational tasks, higher level skills like writing will be challenging and inefficient.
This is exciting, for me, but especially for a mama who has seen such growth.

FYI-this guy is 12. It’s never too late to watch the amazing brain do what God designed it to do! And that is, soar to places once thought out of reach.

Message us today for any questions you may have regarding your child!