Child of the Redwoods: Podcast

It becomes clearer every day the responsibility we have to be stewards of the earth; and clearer still that we have a responsibility to teach our children to love and care for the earth, as well. In this episode, we’re discussing how we can foster that lifelong love of the earth. You can find the show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com . Love, Aubrey

When WILL my child dress themselves, and how do I teach them? This is a question that you may ponder to yourself OFTEN, especially if you are in a place with wintery weather, where packing on all those layers can feel like an olympic sport! The truth of the matter is, with lots of patience and PLENTY of opportunity for observation and exploration, children will learn to dress all on their own...ex...

We raise these precious babies who are dependent upon us for everything, and hang on our every word. Then, one day their willpower and desire appear in full force--and either they are DIRECTLY ignoring what you say, or unintentionally. Either way, having conversations with them and moving through the day can feel impossible. So, what do you do when children just won’t listen? Let’s talk about what...

BREAD. Many people find the notion of making their own intimidating: the time, the mess, the rise! What if I told you that making bread is actually just a bit of child’s play and a lot of patience? Homemade bread is an important part of our family rhythm and ritual, and it has been since my children were little--and while it may not become so integral in your days, it is certainly an experiment wo...

People tell me all the time: “Aubrey, my child only wants to play!” There is so much room for play in Montessori—in fact, Maria said “Play is the work of the child.” Did you know that there is ALSO an entire learning methodology that utilizes that drive to play to support a child’s education? Whether you’re reinforcing math skills, encouraging a reluctant reader to practice, or working on skills o...

Our topic for today is a classic Montessori science experiment: solid, liquid, and gas. Discovering the states of matter is something every child can do with a supervising adult. Here's some Montesssori inspiration for you, homeschoolers!  Show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com Love,  Aubrey

What DO you do with the child who does exactly what you told them not to and refuses to appear apologetic? How do you deal with their pursed lips, hands-on-hips, or outright giggles? Do your as your ears steam? Do you want to scream?  Let's get you a plan of action, mama! Find the show notes to this episode at ChildoftheRedwoods.com Love,  Aubrey

Today I am highlighting an activity you can do at home any time of year but particularly when the air is chilly and your minds are dreaming of freshly fallen snow: cutting snowflakes! Let's learn some cool facts about snowflakes you can teach your kids and deep dive into the art and history of "kirigami". Show notes can be found at ChildoftheRedwoods.com Love,  Aubrey

Are you still looking for that perfect Montessori homeschool routine? Me, too - and I've been doing this for 13 years! Good thing I don't believe in "perfect"....but I can tell you that changing up your routine now and then is good for you AND your children.   Show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com ! If you need help thinking about your routine and curriculum areas, I have a homeschooler p...

2020 gave us all quite a ride, but if you're listening YOU'RE STILL HERE! We are still on an official podcast break through the end of the year, but I have a holiday gift for you inside this episode. Go here to get it: www.childoftheredwoods.com/bedtime   I also spend some time finding gratitude for 2020 and celebrate my strengths - and as you listen, I hope you are inspired to do this as wel...

Today, I’m sharing an acrostic poem with you all about Montessori . An acrostic poem is a classic poetry style which you MAY remember from your own elementary days! To make an acrostic poem, you take a word, and then assign a word to each of its letters. Let's have some Montessori fun!  Show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com   Love,  Aubrey

Where did we come from? What's the universe made of? Why does the capital letter A look like a triangle? Who invented numbers?  The Montessori elementary curriculum is absolutely incredible. Once you hear about these great lessons, I bet you'll want to know more.  Show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com as usual! Love,  Aubrey

This Montessori term trips up even the most experienced guide because there is SO MUCH to unpack. What does normalization feel like in the Montessori classroom? Why did Maria keep pressing us on the importance of this normalization thing? And ugh - the word itself is so weird. How does one make a child NORMAL ANYWAY?  Sit down. It's time for us to have a chat.  Show notes at ChildoftheRe...

If Montessori is not brand new to you, you might be wondering: could my child be entering the second plane a little early and be ready for the elementary curriculum? In this episode, we dive into some key characteristics of that second plane child. Once you know the signs, this transition is unmistakable!  Find the show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com Love,  Aubrey

Is it Montessori? Or is it a lot of Monte-nonsense?! After studying the Montessori materials, both originally-created AND traditional, for decades, I'm giving you my top tips for identifying the products that are not true to the Montessori method.  From concrete materials to printables, get ready for some red flags! Show notes are at ChildoftheRedwoods.com Love,  Aubrey

Montessorians, take note. I feel very strongly about this, and you might not like hearing it, but I'm going to say it anyway. Waiting until the second plane to introduce talking animals and other aspects of anthropomorphism is 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦. In this episode, I am making the case that excluding our youngest children from our deepest, most meaningful traditions is at best a privileged point of view and a...

if I had a dime for every time a mom wrote me and said she was feeling overwhelmed by all the cutting and laminating - or that she was feeling resentful that her children only did such & such parts cards one time, well...you get the point. The thing is, there are certain children who cannot get enough pictures to classify and moms who really, really love their laminators, but it's not necessarily...

Does your child tear paper? Peel covers off or even entire pages out of books? Kick the wall so hard the drywall crumbles? Throw a dish across the room?  I've seen all of this, and it doesn't scare me. It means the child is having some pretty intense emotions and developmental urges. In this episode, we get right into the thick of it from the Montessori perspective!  Show notes at Childo...

Do you dread mealtimes with your children? Don't feel badly! Children are just learning socially appropriate behavior, and until they are are all grown up, they may be prone to poking each other, spitting, spilling liquids, flinging food onto the floor, giggling excesssively, or even bickering at the dinner table.    Thank goodness the Montessori method is here to help!   Show notes...

If you're new to homeschooling or considering it for your child's future, you might be wondering about the legal aspects. Is it legal in your country? What would you do if someone questioned you about it or tried to report you?  My friend Caitlyn Obolsky is a lawyer and homeschooling advocate, and she is here to tell her own "deciding to homeschool" story and give us a little legal insight.

Toddlers are fun, mischievous little creatures! They have an agenda all their own. When we try to intervene, they don't always go along with it! Thus, we have a common conundrum. How does one get a toddler to do Montessori activities? And if not those, what should a toddler be doing all day? Show notes available at ChildoftheRedwoods.com Love,  Aubrey

If only our sunny-faced toddlers could stay that way! Unfortunately, all children grow up, and some go through emotional rollercoasters that can really take us aback.  In this episode, a mama asks what to do with her unhappy 4 year old, who seems to have changed personalities recently, and we strategize.  Love,  Aubrey

Podding up with other homeschoolers isn't just a way to survive a pandemic while giving your children a solid education; it's the way homeschooling works effectively for many parents around the world.  In this episode, I'll share my own experiences with pods, or "co-ops" as we homeschoolers call them, and give you some starter points for forming your own.  Download my Brand New Homeschoo...

Children are messy. Getting them to clean up can be a headache! But guess what? Your little children CAN learn to put away their toys, tidy up around the house, and do household chores. And you don't even have to sing a cheesy clean up song to get them to do it.  Come join me in a chat about the Montessori way to clean up.  Love,  Aubrey P.S. This episode comes with a free checklist...

One of the great challenges of homeschooling is assuaging the worry that your child might fall behind their grade-level peers. I get it! After 10 years of official homeschooling, I can tell you that this general fear is not just put upon you by your own fretting mind: it's a societal problem. We need to rethink the entire purpose of an education.  I'll help you calm those fears down right now...