Seeing the Child Differently: An OT Perspective in Montessori

What happens when Montessori education and occupational therapy come together?In this thoughtful and deeply practical conversation, Biff and Nicole sit down with a Montessori educator and occupational therapist Tia Gamelin to explore how movement, sensory regulation, emotional development, and environment all shape the way children learn.Together, they discuss:• The connection between occupational therapy and Montessori philosophy• Why behavior is often communication — not defiance• How movement, sensory input, and regulation affect learning and focus• What educators and parents often misunderstand about child development• Supporting children with anxiety, sensory challenges, emotional overwhelm, and executive functioning difficulties• Simple ways adults can better observe, support, and empower childrenThroughout the conversation, the focus remains on seeing the whole child — not just academic performance, but emotional wellbeing, confidence, independence, and connection.Warm, insightful, and filled with practical takeaways, this episode offers a powerful reminder that children thrive when we better understand how they experience the world.Contact Us: [email protected] the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhoodContact us: [email protected]