An Occupational Therapist's Perspective: Enhancing Learning with Schoolhouse Discoveries
When it comes to hands-on learning, the impact goes beyond just academics. Occupational therapists work to support children's overall development, including motor skills, cognitive growth, creativity, and social skills.
To see how the Schoolhouse Discoveries unit study curriculum kits fit into this approach, we partnered with Sarah Collins, Occupational Therapist, HomeschoolOT, who put the Discovering Gold kit to the test. Through structured and play-based activities, she explored how our kits support essential developmental skills in young learners.
Below, Sarah Collins, HomeschoolOT, shares her insights on how the unit study curriculum engages children in meaningful, skill-building learning experiences.
"As an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent, I am always on the lookout for learning tools that foster creativity, exploration, and hands-on engagement without the dreaded 'busy work.' Schoolhouse Discoveries kits hit the mark beautifully. These kits offer rich opportunities for skill development across multiple domains—motor, cognitive, and social—all while sparking curiosity and encouraging imaginative play."
Motor Skills Development
Fine and gross motor development is a crucial part of a child’s learning journey. Occupational therapists often incorporate hands-on activities to strengthen coordination, dexterity, and hand-eye control.
What Sarah Collins, HomeschoolOT Observed:
"The activities in these kits are thoughtfully designed to engage fine motor skills. My younger son particularly enjoyed working with small objects of varying textures and materials. For example, manipulating smooth pebbles, gritty sand, and pliable modeling clay challenged his grasp-and-release abilities in a fun and meaningful way. These types of tasks strengthen the small muscles of the hands, which are essential for handwriting and other daily tasks. The variety of mediums included in the kits keeps things fresh and engaging, ensuring children stay interested."
By integrating motor skill challenges into a fun, themed learning experience, the kits keep kids actively engaged while reinforcing key developmental milestones.
Cognitive Growth & Creativity
Children learn best when they can connect ideas through play, exploration, and storytelling. The Schoolhouse Discoveries kits offer open-ended activities that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
What Sarah Collins, HomeschoolOT Observed:
"What makes these kits truly exceptional is their ability to spark creativity and foster connected thinking. In the world of occupational therapy, we refer to this as ideation—the ability to generate ideas and plan actions. This skill is evident in activities like climbing, where children naturally think through what comes first and where to place their hands. It's also a foundational ability that later supports tasks like brainstorming and organizing thoughts for writing assignments. The Schoolhouse Discoveries kits excel at offering gentle 'invitations' to play, encouraging children to explore and create on their own terms rather than following rigid instructions. This open-ended approach nurtures ideation in a natural, engaging way. A perfect example is when my son, inspired by the gold mining kit, decided to expand his 'gold rush' world. Using the modeling clay provided, he created tiny miners, pickaxes, and shovels to bring his story to life.
It didn’t stop there—his ideas grew! Because we had recently read about the Pony Express, he added a mail-delivering horse to his gold-mining narrative. Watching him integrate historical concepts into play was a wonderful reminder of how these kits nurture both creativity and cognitive connections in a natural and engaging way."
Hands-on learning provides opportunities for trial and error, allowing kids to develop confidence in their problem-solving abilities while having fun.
Social Skills in Action
Beyond individual skill-building, collaborative learning experiences help children strengthen their communication and teamwork abilities. Many activities in the Schoolhouse Discoveries kits encourage group participation, making them great for siblings, small groups, and even therapy sessions.
What Sarah Collins, HomeschoolOT Observed:
"One of the most unexpected joys of these kits has been their ability to bring siblings together. My 13-year-old son couldn’t resist joining in when he saw the modeling clay and his brother’s detailed gold-mining scene. Soon, they were working side by side, brainstorming new characters and scenarios. These moments of collaborative play helped foster teamwork, communication, and shared laughter—a beautiful reminder of how these kits can create opportunities for social connection across age groups."
Engaging in shared tasks fosters patience, communication, and the ability to listen and respond to others—important skills for both school and everyday life.
Final Thoughts
"Schoolhouse Discoveries kits are a gem for families looking to encourage exploration, creativity, and meaningful skill development. They eliminate the monotony of busy work and instead offer open-ended activities that inspire children to think, create, and collaborate. Whether you're a homeschooling parent or simply seeking enriching play opportunities, these kits are an incredible tool for learning and bonding. Highly recommended!"
Connect with Sarah Collins, Occupational Therapist, HomeschoolOT
For more expert tips and insights on child development, follow HomeschoolOT on social media and visit her website:
- Instagram: @homeschool_ot
- Facebook: thehomeschoolot
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Website: HomeschoolOT
Disclaimer: This testimonial is based on a paid evaluation of our Schoolhouse Discoveries kit. While HomeschoolOT Therapy Services was compensated for their time and expertise, their feedback reflects their honest, professional opinion on the product’s educational and developmental value.
