Episode Details

Send us Fan Mail

In Irvington, two occupational therapists are asking Westchester County parents to rethink what "ready for kindergarten" actually means. Katarina Soares and Kamila Omarova, co-founders of Rooted Kids Inc., explain why regulation, coordination, and fine motor skills matter more than letters and numbers, and what's really happening to kids across the county before they ever reach a classroom.

In This Episode
 (0:00) The data behind Westchester's school readiness gap
 (3:00) Meet Katarina Soares and Kamila Omarova, co-founders of Rooted Kids Inc.
 (5:30) The moment that led to founding Rooted in Irvington
 (9:00) What "regulation" looks like in a three-year-old, and the RISE method
 (15:00) What's really driving the decline in kids' fine motor skills
 (19:00) What parents can do at home before kindergarten
 (23:00) The hard question: private readiness programs in a county where public early intervention is falling behind
 (27:00) What Westchester parents should understand about readiness five years from now

Guest & Resources
 Rooted Kids Inc.: rootedkidsinc.org. I Live Here Westchester: iliveheremedia.com.

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a neighbor.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: jimjockle@iliveheremedia.com
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
Follow us on Instagram: @iliveheremedia

Subscribe, rate, and share to support local storytelling.