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 2 of 4

  1. Montessori Essentials: The Colored Beads

    · 30 min

    The colored beads are one of the most beloved materials in Montessori education, and they’re worth every bit of the praise. Join Aubrey and David as they explore the many, many, MANY wonderful qualities of the colored…

  2. Practical Life for the 21st Century featuring Kelly Alonz

    · 50 min

    Maria Montessori developed her method for children with an emphasis on practical life activities before the invention of the television, and yet children are still called to the real, purposeful work that this subject…

  3. Montessori Essentials: The Skeleton In Your Closet: Montessori Bones

    · 42 min

    It’s an investment most Montessori families have zero regret over: a skeleton model of the human body. Why? Because teaching your child the names of BONES is so much freaking fun! Join Aubrey and David as they talk…

  4. Geometric Cabinet: A Box of Wonders

    · 36 min

    Shapes are all around us, and when we look through our 2-D imaginary glasses… Your dining table is probably a square, rectangle, ellipse, or circle. Your bookshelf is probably a series of rectangles that makes a larger…

  5. Children are NOT Empty Vessels featuring Kayla

    · 42 min

    Maria Montessori warned teachers and parents not to think of children as empty vessels to be filled or molded. No Indeed! Children are born with an incredible ability to self-educate and learn! The adult's…

  6. Not Your Grandma’s Grammar: The Montessori Grammar Symbols

    · 44 min

    If you were raised in a traditional school system, you probably remember grammar worksheets. Circle the verbs. Count the adjectives. Zzzzzzz….SNORE! In Montessori, we make Grammar come alive with silly pantomime games,…

  7. The Perfect Art Supplies

    · 1 h 05 min

    A Montessori homeschool without a good art supply is really missing out on a lot of crafty fun! Not only can you DIY your own materials, art is a perfect pathway to a million practical life activities that strengthen…

  8. Balancing Work and Homeschooling featuring Stacy

    · 42 min

    Homeschooling can become a BIG part of your life, so how do people who are working part-time or even full-time manage to do both? In this episode, Aubrey and David talk about balancing work and homeschooling and…

  9. Montessori Essentials: Linear Calendars Let Us See Time!

    · 40 min

    Linear calendars are a wonderful way of helping kids "see" how time passes. Unlike traditional calendars, which lay out the days in a grid, linear calendars let us STREEETCH the whole month out in a single row (aka,…

  10. Montessori Essentials: The Power of Plants

    · 35 min

    From the humblest of materials can come the greatest of lessons. Case in point – the houseplant! There are more incredible Montessori lessons centered around a single plant than you can shake a stick at. Join David and…

  11. All Weather Play

    · 43 min

    Rain or shine. Wind or snow. There's always a way to play! Join Aubrey and David as they discuss ways to make sure your little ones get their daily dose of exercise, gross motor skill, and fun no matter the season.…

  12. Montessori Essentials: Moveable Alphabet

    · 36 min

    Teach your child to WRITE before they learn to READ. Here's how. Everyone wants to teach their child to read. Literacy is a crucial life skill! But how? ...in 100 easy lessons? ...with baby flashcards? ...apps or an…

  13. Montessori Essentials: Behold! The Mighty Scrubber!

    · 45 min

    Not every Montessori material calls to every child. This is one reason why there are so many materials in a classroom. Every child gets to choose the work that makes their heart sing. But as a homeschool mama and a…

  14. Getting the Most Out of Your Montessori Materials with Meaghan

    · 32 min

    Sometimes materials sit on the shelves for a while, and while initially interesting, they can start feeling stale. What’s a Montessori parent to do?! Aubrey & David will illuminate this common issue while sharing a…

  15. Geometric Solids: Playing with Shapes Is Fun!

    · 48 min

    The geometric solids are a Montessori Essential in our book! They not only give children a concrete impression of 3D shapes, they open up the door to understanding their world in a new way! Everyone is welcome - this…

  16. No Shelves? No Problem! with Adri

    · 39 min

    We've all seen those perfect Montessori shelves on social media, but do you really need them to "do Montessori"? Spoiler Alert -- You Don't! Join Aubrey and David as they discuss strategies for shelving solutions for…

  17. These Montessori Beads are Golden Treasures

    · 44 min

    Golden beads are a staple for Montessori families! They’re easily DIY-able, and easy to grab when you do addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division with your child. They are truly treasures, and Aubrey and…

  18. Hands-On Learning is Montessori Learning

    · 51 min

    Playdough, homemade salt dough, or anything else moldable lets your kids create their own topographical maps and explore how these features appear on the earth. There are so many ways we can use a moldable medium to…

  19. Gathering the Tools to Navigate the World of Parenting with Gina

    · 36 min

    How do you become a more conscious, respectful, and peaceful parent? It doesn't "just happen"! You need a good set of tools, friends. Sometimes you need a phillips head screwdriver, and sometimes you need a flat head.…

  20. Sandpaper Letters Make Teaching Reading Easier

    · 44 min

    The sandpaper letters Maria Montessori used in her early classrooms offered children a way to make learning to read and write with a tactile experience. Science backs this! Hands-on-learning is an essential component…

  21. Perfectly Practical: Why a Pitcher is a Montessori Staple

    · 42 min

    It’s simple. It’s probably already in your home. And it’s a Montessori classic! It’s the humble pitcher. Aubrey and David Hargis talk about how to use it, what kinds are best, and why kids love using them so darn much!…

  22. What If My Partner Hasn’t Totally Bought In with Caitlin

    · 43 min

    The Montessori lifestyle is amazing, but adopting it can be a stretch for some. What happens when not everyone in the house is equally onboard? How do you help convince your partner to give it a chance? What principles…

  23. Fear of Spooky Things

    · 1 h 05 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss ways to help your kids handle scary things. For more Montessori and parenting guidance, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

  24. Does Playing with Your Kids Make Them More Obedient?

    · 1 h 09 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss a recent article about how playing with your kids for five minutes a day can result in better behavior. They explore what the article gets right -- and wrong. For more…

  25. A Three Day Lesson Schedule with Leticia

    · 47 min

    Meet Leticia, a homeschooling mom of 2 from Virginia, United States. She’s an alumna of both Homeschool of the Redwoods Primary. To learn more, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

  26. Becoming a Homeschooler with Gloria

    · 35 min

    In this episode, we meet Gloria, a mom of two from South Carolina. We explore her journey from classroom teacher to homeschooler, her discovery of the magic of Montessori, and getting everyone in the home involved.…

  27. Helping Kids Develop Strong Social Skills

    · 1 h 01 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss how to help kids build healthy social skills and what Montessori can teach us about the work. For more Montessori and homeschooling guidance, visit us online at…

  28. Embracing Imperfection with Libby

    · 33 min

    In this episode, we meet Libby, a homeschooling mom of one from Michigan, USA. They talk about Libby's journey with Montessori, embracing imperfection, and why patience is a virtue. For more, visit us at…

  29. Helping Kids Develop a Growth Mindset and Embrace Mistakes

    · 56 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss how to help kids handle adversity, embrace mistakes, and develop a growth mindset! For more Montessori and homeschooling guidance, visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

  30. It’s a Montessori Life with Rachel

    · 29 min

    In this episode, Aubrey meets Rachel, a Montessori parent of two from Seattle, USA. They talk about Rachel's journey to Montessori, the importance of respecting children, and why the second plane shouldn't sound scary.…

  31. Knowing When Your Child's Ready for More

    · 54 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David talk about how to know when your child is ready for more - more lessons! More academics! More from YOU! They also discuss ways to celebrate the start of a new (home)school year. For…

  32. Appreciating Neurodivergence with Chris

    · 43 min

    In this episode, we meet Chris, a Montessori parent of one from Colorado, USA. Chris talks about her Montessori journey and the experiences of using the Montessori method with a neurodivergent child. For more about…

  33. How Early Is too Early for Academics?

    · 1 h 13 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David talk about academic expectations for kids - what's appropriate and for what ages? They also discuss their steps for preparing for the upcoming school year. For more tips and…

  34. Preparation for Life with Tansy

    · 44 min

    In this episode, Aubrey meets Tansy, a Montessori parent of two from Seoul, South Korea.

  35. Practice for the Teacher

    · 12 min

    In this episode, Aubrey discusses strategies homeschool parents can use when trying to master new Montessori lessons and materials. She also explores the meaning behind "education is a journey we take with our…

  36. Motivating Reluctant Learners With Lauren

    · 44 min

    In this episode, Aubrey interviews Lauren, a Montessori parent of 3 from Toronto, Canada. They explore how to address child motivation in a Montessori way and why knowing the Montessori fundamentals is so beneficial to…

  37. What Are the Planes of Development?

    · 1 h 02 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss the amazing planes of development - what they are, what they mean, and what they look like in children. They also discuss why it's vital that adults challenge their often low…

  38. Camping with Young Children

    · 23 min

    In this episode, Aubrey shares tips and ideas for camping with young children. For more parenting and homeschooling tips, please visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

  39. The Child is the Teacher Book Study, Part 5

    · 1 h 10 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David finish their discussion of Cristina de Stefano new Maria Montessori biography, The Child is the Teacher. This episode is a rebroadcast of the June 16 YouTube Live. Aubrey and David go…

  40. Confidence with Season

    · 33 min

    In this episode, Aubrey interviews Season, a Montessori parent of three living in the San Francisco Bay Area. They explore how applying the Montessori method as a parent at home is different than in a classroom. Aubrey…

  41. The Child is the Teacher Book Study, Part 4

    · 1 h 06 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David continue their discussion of Cristina de Stefano new Maria Montessori biography, The Child is the Teacher. They also discuss how homeschool families can balance between freedom and…

  42. Quality Time with Jaki

    · 41 min

    In this episode, Aubrey interviews Jaki, a Montessori parent living in Indiana, USA. They dig into how to handle parental guilty about not spending enough time with our children and how to sprinkle in lessons when you…

  43. The Child is the Teacher Book Study, Part 3

    · 1 h 18 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David continue their discussion of Cristina de Stefano new Maria Montessori biography, The Child is the Teacher. They also discuss why it’s a mistake to think of Practical Life as a subject…

  44. Shared Passions with Laura

    · 38 min

    In this episode, Aubrey interviews Laura, a Montessori parent living in Chicago, USA. They discuss what it's like to be a family using part-time school/part-time homeschooling approach and how the merger of their and…

  45. The Child is the Teacher Book Study, Part 2

    · 1 h 12 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David continue their discussion of Cristina de Stefano new Maria Montessori biography, The Child is the Teacher. They also discuss the power of modeling with your children. This episode is…

  46. The Montessori Magic is You with Jerrica

    · 25 min

    In this episode, Aubrey interviews Jer, a homeschooling mom of 2 from British Columbia, Canada. Aubrey explores Jer's life and routine as a parent and the magical everyday experiences Montessori invites.

  47. The Child is the Teacher Book Study, Part 1

    · 1 h 10 min

    In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss the first part of Cristina de Stefano's excellent new biography of Maria Montessori, The Child is the Teacher. They also talk about a great new addition to their homeschooling…

  48. The Importance of Movement with Alex

    · 35 min

    In this episode, Aubrey interviews Alex, a stay at home mom of a toddler and a preschooler living in Texas. Alex's background in psychology and a passion for learning gives her a unique perspective on - and admiration…

  49. The End of Life is a Curious Thing

    · 1 h 08 min

    In this audio-only replay from the April 7 episode of Child of the Redwoods: Live, Aubrey and David talk about letting their youngest child go to sleep away camp and how doing brave things - both for the child and…

  50. A Smooth Weekly Rhythm with Emma

    · 46 min

    In this episode, Aubrey talks about one of the joys of spring - new butterflies!. She then interviews Emma, mum, wife, teacher and home educator from the UK. You can read more from Anna on our website -…

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