Podcasts · Kids & Family

Child of the Redwoods: Podcast

Child of the Redwoods

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.

Episodes page 1 of 4

  1. Let's Do a Reading Lesson

    · 1 h 00 min · S5 E19

    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…

  2. Let's Do a Math Lesson

    · 1 h 13 min · S5 E18

    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…

  3. Let's Do a Practical Life Lesson

    · 36 min · S5 E17

    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…

  4. Your Montessori Homeschooling Questions Answered ! The Montessori Power Hour

    · 1 h 25 min · S5 E16

    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 →…

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

    · 1 h 01 min · S5 E15

    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…

  6. Skip the Montessori Homeschool Influencer Trap: The Montessori Power Hour

    · 55 min · S5 E14

    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,”…

  7. What If I Do Montessori Wrong?!? The Montessori Power Hour

    · 1 h 05 min · S5 E13

    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…

  8. Is Montessori Homeschooling Right for Your Family? The Montessori Power Hour

    · 40 min · S5 E12

    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…

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

    · 1 h 04 min · S5 E11

    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…

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

    · 48 min · S5 E10

    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…

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

    · 1 h 20 min · S5 E9

    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…

  12. Handling Sibling Dynamics in a Montessori Homeschool: The Montessori Power Hour

    · 56 min · S5 E8

    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,…

  13. How to Teach Kids at Different Levels Without Burning Out

    · 56 min · S5 E7

    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…

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

    · 1 h 22 min · S5 E6

    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…

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

    · 1 h 25 min · S5 E5

    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,…

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

    · 55 min · S5 E4

    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…

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

    · 56 min · S5 E3

    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…

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

    · 56 min · S5 E2

    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…

  19. Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Doing Montessori At Home

    · 59 min · S5 E1

    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,…

  20. Is My Child Ready for Montessori?

    · 47 min

    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…

  21. Supporting Your Child's Sensitivity to Order

    · 40 min

    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…

  22. Heart Art: A Geometry Lesson

    · 54 min

    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…

  23. A Rainbow of Hands On Activities

    · 34 min

    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…

  24. Who Am I? Using Mysteries as Teaching Tools

    · 43 min

    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!)…

  25. Snow Day Academics

    · 44 min

    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.

  26. Let's Read The Secret of Childhood (Part 2)

    · 36 min

    Join Aubrey and David as they discuss one of Maria Montessori's greatest works -- The Secret of Childhood! This is part 2 of 4 and covers chapters 8 to 17. To learn more about our work, visit us online at…

  27. Let's Read The Secret of Childhood (Part 1)

    · 48 min

    Join Aubrey and David as they discuss one of Maria Montessori's greatest works -- The Secret of Childhood! This is part 1 of 4. To learn more about our work, visit us online at www.ChildoftheRedwoods.com

  28. Awesome Lessons: Sew Awesome

    · 35 min

    In the modern world, most of us don't darn our socks because buying new ones is affordable - and because it seems daunting. But taking the time to teach your child basic sewing skills may have you rethinking your…

  29. Awesome Lessons: Magnetic vs NonMagnetic

    · 33 min

    Wanna see a magic trick? Like a real deal one that can't be explained away? Get a magnet and join us on YouTube for a free Awesome Lesson! We'll show you how to teach this simple yet inherently mysterious concept.…

  30. A (Not So) Spooky Montessori

    · 43 min

    In this special Spooky Season episode, Aubrey and David talk about how to help Littles navigate a creepy crawly holiday and why less is almost always more. Visit www.childoftheredwoods.com for free and low cost…

  31. Awesome Lessons: Timeline of Life

    · 32 min

    Have you ever wondered what happens in Montessori Elementary schools? It's a lot of TIMELINE work. Today we are discussing a most awesome lesson that is a central part of our 1st-3rd grade Montessori curriculum: the…

  32. Awesome Lessons: Odd and Even

    · 37 min

    One can be fun, but two is me & you! Teaching your child the difference between odd and even is a game you can play over and over in different ways. In this video, Aubrey and David discuss the classic Odd and Even…

  33. Awesome Lessons: Scissor Cutting

    · 43 min

    In every child’s life, there comes a point at which they want to learn to…use scissors! While these common artistic tools may seem daunting, Aubrey and David are here to help you with a clear and concise sequence for…

  34. Awesome Lessons: Vowel Tree

    · 34 min

    one of the most essential skills: blending consonants and vowels together to make words. Join Aubrey and David to learn how! For more tips and lessons, check out our website: https://www.childoftheredwoods.com where…

  35. Awesome Lessons: Land, Water and Air

    · 42 min

    Land and water and air...it's the stuff our planet Earth is made of! This very popular lesson is simple and sometimes overlooked. Yet it is SO IMPORTANT because we are teaching a lot of concepts that build your child's…

  36. Awesome Lessons: Alphabet Roll

    · 40 min

    Now I know my ABC's...won't you please play a GAME with me? Singing the alphabet song, cute as it is, does not teach your child how to read. What does? Matching the initial sound of a word to the letter it is…

  37. Awesome Lessons: Gluing

    · 40 min

    Don't get stuck! Join Aubrey and David as they discuss one of their favorite Montessori lessons -- How to Glue! They talk about how to give the lesson, what materials you'll need, and why it's so awesome! As always,…

  38. Awesome Lessons: Living and Non-Living

    · 32 min

    Living! Nonliving! Seems pretty simple, right? In actuality, this is the first concept covered in a traditional biology class, and it's not so straightforward! Come join Aubrey & David in a lively discussion as we show…

  39. Montessori Essentials:Globe

    · 41 min

    You’ve got the whole world in your hands! Nothing brings to life the shape, size, and orientation of our planet quite like a physical globe. In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss what makes globes so essential, how…

  40. Montessori Essentials: Geometry Sticks

    · 36 min

    They’re colorful. They’re playful. They’re joyful. They’re… a geometry lesson?! It’s true! The study of Geometry in Montessori is as much about the art and beauty of shapes as it is the math, and nothing quite…

  41. Montessori Had a Farm EIEIO

    · 34 min

    Montessori had a....FARM?! Yes, she really did. She loved farms and all they had to offer children. She taught children the names of the animals, she encouraged children to work outside in the garden growing and…

  42. Finding Your Calm

    · 42 min

    Tantrums, bedtime power struggles, whining, frenetic hyperactivity! In our modern culture, we complain about parenting littles a LOT. And it's warranted! With all the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves and…

  43. Montessori Essentials: Nonfiction Books

    · 37 min

    Books, books, books! You know your child needs them, but what kind is best? In this episode, David and Aubrey discuss why - and how - you should be using nonfiction books in your home with your children. In fact,…

  44. Montessori Essentials: Small National Flags

    · 30 min

    If we want to raise children who can one day not only understand the political conflicts between nations but also who can see both perspectives, we need to raise global citizens. In Montessori, we intentionally expose…

  45. Family Vacation and Touring a Montessori School (Re-Release)

    · 21 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David talk about a recent family vacation that included a chance to tour a Montessori school. They also share tips for preparing little ones for a big trip. For more Montessori and…

  46. Understanding Unschooling with Valeria

    · 54 min

    Is there such a thing as a Montessori...unschooler? You bet there is! In this episode, David and Aubrey give insights into why unschooling and Montessori are a great match for homeschooling and how you can get started…

  47. Montessori Essentials: Xylophone

    · 16 min

    Every home needs a xylophone...or something like it! Teaching music to your child using the Montessori method can be intuitive, and you don't need to be a musician yourself to be successful. Join us as we deep-dive…

  48. Building A Solid Homeschooling Foundation

    · 38 min

    Every home needs a foundation, and so does your homeSCHOOL. Our foundation is the Montessori method - but it's also embracing nature and our family's intentions. They all weave together to create the most beautiful…

  49. Presenting... The Pink Tower! (Re-Release)

    · 38 min

    The pink tower is the first Montessori material that many parents invest in, and it remains the #1 symbol of Montessori education as a whole. But what is the best way to use it? Is it to be played with like any other…

  50. Teaching What's Necessary without Forcing Your Child (Re-Release)

    · 1 h 13 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss how to teach what needs to be taught without forcing the child to learn what they’re not ready for. They also discuss the joy of ceramics for both kids and adults! To learn…

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