Child of the Redwoods

Child of the Redwoods: Podcast

Kids EN ↓ 193 episodes

We make Montessori education fun, affordable, and accessible to families at home. Curriculum and support for homeschooling parents at www.childoftheredwoods.com. Aubrey Hargis, M.Ed. is an author, parent coach, and educational consultant best known for her empathetic approach and appreciation for the magic of childhood. David Hargis, M.A., is an educator and technologist who has made things for all kinds of learners - from K-12 to college to adult. Together, they founded Child of the Redwoods in 2017 to help parents unlock the power of Montessori in their homes.

Author

Child of the Redwoods

Category

Kids

Podcast website

www.childoftheredwoods.com

Latest episode

Nov 14, 2025

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Episodes

Let's Do a Reading Lesson 14.11.2025

In this episode, Aubrey and David present a Reading lesson - Pet Care - featured in the Child of the Redwoods Sample Pack (www.childoftheredwoods.com/sample). They explain how to give the lesson and discuss ways to bring it to life for children at different ages. It's a fun and easy way to bring Montessori to life in your own home today! _______________________________ RESOURCES: ✅ Take our r...

Let's Do a Math Lesson 07.11.2025

In this episode, Aubrey and David present a Math lesson - Ladybug Leaf Counting - featured in the Child of the Redwoods Sample Pack (www.childoftheredwoods.com/sample). They explain how to give the lesson and discuss ways to bring it to life for children at different ages. It's a fun and easy way to bring Montessori to life in your own home today! _______________________________ RESOURCES: ✅...

Let's Do a Practical Life Lesson 31.10.2025

In this episode, Aubrey and David present a Practical Life lesson - A Perfectly Polished Apple - featured in the Child of the Redwoods Sample Pack (www.childoftheredwoods.com/sample). They explain how to give the lesson and discuss ways to bring it to life for children at different ages. It's a fun and easy way to bring Montessori to life in your own home today! _______________________________...

Your Montessori Homeschooling Questions Answered ! The Montessori Power Hour 24.10.2025

It''s time for an AMA episode! We love hearing your questions so much, we're dedicating an entire episode just to it. _______________________________ RESOURCES: ✅ Take our reading level assessment → https://www.childoftheredwoods.com/reading ✅ Get a free sample right here ➡️ www.childoftheredwoods.com/sample ✅ Complete Montessori homeschool curriculum that is affordable and fun for...

Why There’s No Better Time to Start Montessori Than Right Now: The Montessori Power Hour 17.10.2025

Maybe you’ve been thinking: ‘I’ll just keep researching,’ or, ‘We’ll wait until next year.’ It’s one of the most common things we hear from parents who love the idea of Montessori but feel hesitant to dive in. And it makes sense—this is a big decision, and you want to get it right.” But waiting doesn’t make it easier. In fact, it makes it harder. Your child’s sensitive periods for learning are hap...

Skip the Montessori Homeschool Influencer Trap: The Montessori Power Hour 10.10.2025

Ever feel like you can’t do Montessori because your house doesn’t look like the ones on Instagram? You’re not alone. Parents tell us all the time: “I don’t have a dedicated room,” “I can’t afford all those materials,” “Our home feels too cluttered to do Montessori right.” Watch to learn how to simplify, gain confidence, and make Montessori homeschooling work—without falling into the influencer per...

What If I Do Montessori Wrong?!? The Montessori Power Hour 03.10.2025

Every Montessori parent worries at some point: Am I doing this right? Maybe you’re afraid of missing something important, introducing lessons “too early,” or not being “Montessori enough.” In this episode, we’ll share why the fear of “getting it wrong” is normal, how Montessori gives you a clear path and peace of mind, and what to do when lessons don’t go as planned. Visit www.childoftheredwoods.c...

Is Montessori Homeschooling Right for Your Family? The Montessori Power Hour 12.09.2025

Montessori homeschooling can be an extraordinary gift for your child—but it isn’t for everyone. In this episode, we’ll break down who Montessori homeschooling is right for, who it’s not right for, and how to know if it’s a fit for your family. If you’re ready to give your child the best year ever, make it Unlimited: childoftheredwoods.com/unlimited. _______________________________ RESOURCES: ✅ Ta...

The Power of High-Quality Books: What to Read (and What to Skip!): The Montessori Power Hour 01.08.2025

Not all children’s books are created equal—some foster imagination and language development, while others fall flat with shallow storytelling and clunky prose. This week, we’re diving into how to choose books that truly support your child’s learning during the sensitive period for language. You’ll learn what to look for (and avoid) so you can build a home library that nurtures curiosity, empathy,...

What to Do If Your Child Isn’t Interested in Reading: The Montessori Power Hour 25.07.2025

If your child isn’t reaching for books, don’t panic. It’s not a sign of failure but a clue. In this episode, we explore why a lack of interest in reading often points to a missing foundational step in literacy development. With the Montessori approach, we meet children exactly where they are, reigniting curiosity through hands-on, child-led exploration. Once you see reading through this lens, ever...

How Montessori Really Teaches Reading (It’s Not What You Think!): The Montessori Power Hour 18.07.2025

In this episode, we’re exploring how the Montessori method builds early reading skills through movement, sound games, and meaningful language. We're explaining why writing comes before reading in Montessori and how your child’s natural development makes reading not only possible, but joyful. If you’ve ever wondered when to start teaching reading or how to do it without pressure, this is the episod...

Handling Sibling Dynamics in a Montessori Homeschool: The Montessori Power Hour 11.07.2025

Why do siblings go from fighting to playing like best friends in a matter of minutes? In this episode, we explore the roots of sibling conflict and how Montessori-inspired strategies—like grace and courtesy lessons, collaborative activities, and setting a foundational expectation of love—can help build lasting bonds between children. Discover practical ways to nurture friendship and harmony at hom...

How to Teach Kids at Different Levels Without Burning Out 04.07.2025

Burnout doesn’t become you—but if you’re homeschooling more than one child with Montessori, it might feel inevitable. In this episode, you’ll learn how teach more than one child in different planes of development at the same time without exhausting yourself. With the right expectations and support, Montessori can do the heavy lifting so your kids grow and learn together, and you're able to sit...

Homeschooling Siblings Together? Montessori Was Made for This: The Montessori Power Hour 27.06.2025

You can homeschool more than one child, even if they’re different ages, have wildly different interests, and constantly interrupt each other. The secret? Stop trying to teach them the same way and start thinking like Maria Montessori. In this Power Hour, Aubrey and David unpack why multi-age learning isn’t just manageable, it’s ideal. _______________________________ RESOURCES:✅ Take our free quiz...

Is Montessori Too Rigid or Too Loose? Here’s the Truth. 20.06.2025

Ever feel like Montessori is a game of ping pong? *Ping* It's all about following precise lessons and materials!, *Pong* it’s about letting kids do whatever they want all day. Well, put those table tennis paddles down, friends! Montessori is NEITHER a strict script NOR a total free-for-all. It’s a balance, a sweet spot of freedom within structure.

This is No Happy Meal: Why Montessori Is So Much More Than a Boxed Curriculum 13.06.2025

Montessori is not something you unwrap and serve. And most definitely doesn't include a plastic toy. So if you’ve tried it and felt like it didn’t “work", well -- friends -- you’re not alone—and the problem isn’t you or your child. In this episode, we're sharing what actually makes Montessori work and why treating it like a boxed curriculum leads so many parents to confusion, frustrat...

Following the Child Doesn’t Mean Doing Nothing: The Montessori Power Hour 06.06.2025

Montessori is about following the child... right? Then why do so many of us feel completely lost when we try? In this episode, we're unpacking one of the biggest misconceptions in Montessori homeschooling: the idea that “following the child” means stepping back entirely. We get it! You’re trying so hard to respect your child’s independence and let them lead—but instead of feeling confident, yo...

The #1 Skill That Will Make or Break Your Montessori Homeschool 23.05.2025

You can have all the Montessori knowledge. The shelf. The printables. The golden beads. But if you skip this one skill? Your homeschool won’t thrive. In this episode, Aubrey and David reveal the most essential—and most overlooked—skill in Montessori homeschooling: observation. Not lesson planning. Not curriculum shopping. Observation. You’ll learn why focusing on how to teach matters more than wha...

Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Doing Montessori At Home 15.05.2025

Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” with Montessori - buying the materials, setting up the shelves, giving lessons - yet it still doesn’t seem to work? In this episode of Montessori Power Hour , Aubrey and David reveal the number one reason parents get stuck when trying Montessori at home. Spoiler: It’s not about your effort. It’s about missing the method! Plus, we celebrate Ea...

Is My Child Ready for Montessori? 22.03.2024

As Montessorians, we believe the method has value for humans at every stage of life, starting at the earliest moments and continuing on until our final days. However, there are definitely periods when we are showing signs of readiness for something new. What are those signs? How do we know when our toddlers are ready to begin their journey with the Primary materials? Join Aubrey and David on YouTu...

Supporting Your Child's Sensitivity to Order 15.03.2024

Something strange happens in the Primary years that doesn't happen to us as adults, and it has to do with order. No, this is not the same thing as tidiness, so step aside Marie Kondo, although we share your love of containers for things that spark joy! Understanding the child's sensitivity to order is key, so join us for an episode all about how to engage your Primary child. Plus, we'll be featuri...

Heart Art: A Geometry Lesson 08.03.2024

In this episode, Aubrey and David talk about ways to make your Valentine's Day celebrations a little more Montessori. They also teach a simple -- yet enormously satisfying -- work that you can quickly pull out for your kids. It lends itself to Montessori scissor precision practice + geometrical explorations, and...the results are always amazing! Say hello to concentric hearts!  For more Monte...

A Rainbow of Hands On Activities 02.03.2024

Little brains learn MORE when little fingers are involved! Join us Live as we talk about hands-on learning that is inherent in Montessori. We'll discuss the 10 core subject areas that are featured in all of our programs, and we have an Awesome Lesson for you! We're going to give you a sneak peek into our latest theme Pigment and show you how a simple prism in your window can be a HUGE opportunity...

Who Am I? Using Mysteries as Teaching Tools 16.02.2024

Nothing invites a child to a lesson like a good old fashioned MYSTERY. In Montessori, this is actually a key teaching tool, and hands-down one of our favorites! Join us for a Live chat on YouTube (or watch the replay!) as we talk about how to incorporate more 🕵️ skills into your homeschool. Find the Arachnid Mysteries right here in our theme WEB: https://childoftheredwoodsmembers.com/product/web-t...

Snow Day Academics 09.02.2024

In this episode, Aubrey and David talk about how to beat the winter blues with some fun, seasonally-inspired lessons.  For more Montessori magic, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com .

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