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 children to many cultures that are similar and different from theirs and infuse our lessons with positivity and compassion. One way we do this is by studying flags. In this episode, David and Aubrey explain why flags are included in our Montessori Essentials list and how to use...

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 homeschooling guidance, visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

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 with this approach in your own home. Join Aubrey and David in a discussion about unschooling as they spotlight a member of their Montessori homeschooling community.  For more about Montessori and sign up for our free resources, please visit Child of the Redwoods at...

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 into the elusive Montessori Bells and make it much more accessible for modern families. This is just one of our Montessori Essentials. Get our FREE list of 21 Essentials Montessori materials at www.childoftheredwoods.com/essentials

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 beginning and reason for every lesson we teach our children. Join Aubrey and David in a conversation about how to create the best foundation for your child at home. Learn more about our Primary and Lower Elementary courses at ChildoftheRedwoods.com

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 set of blocks, or carefully carried and built in a specific manner? Aubrey & David Hargis will discuss the benefits of this gorgeous Montessori material and give tips for presenting it to your child. For more, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com/essentials

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 more, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com

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 beads. This is just one of our Montessori Essentials. Get our FREE list of 21 Essentials Montessori materials at www.childoftheredwoods.com/essentials  

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 area offers. Modern parents, stressed by our fast-paced world and inundated with techy solutions for every possible problem typically look to children’s cartoons for support and entertainment. They bemoan how addictive screens are. However, practical life activities offer a...

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 about the unexpected delights of having a literal skeleton in your closet to bring out for Montessori anatomy lessons. This is just one of our Montessori Essentials. Get our FREE list of 21 Essentials Montessori materials at www.childoftheredwoods.com/essentials

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 rectangle. Your windows could be rectangles made up of a bunch of squares. Your rug might be an ellipse. We could keep going on and on! By introducing the shapes in a geometric cabinet (one of our 21 Montessori Essentials!), your child could not only learn their shapes…they...

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 responsibility is, instead, to create a supportive environment, observe their work, and let their insatiable curiosity lead the way. The principle is fundamental to Montessori's work, but even more than a century after she first formulated it, the idea remains as controversial as it is...

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, cool metaphors, and the fabulous grammar symbols. Come learn a better way to teach grammar to kids at any age! The grammar symbols are a Montessori essential in our book. Get the full list of essentials on our website at www.ChildoftheRedwoods.com/essentials

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 your child’s fine motor skills. Are you ready to fill the PERFECT art cabinet? Join us as we give tips and tricks for gathering the right art supplies for your Montessori homeschool. Art supplies are just one of our Montessori Essentials. Get our FREE list of 21 Essentials...

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 explore how one of their members, Stacy, manages her own balancing act. Want more Authentic Montessori in your family’s life? Take our free quiz to find out which Child of the Redwoods program is right for you: www.childoftheredwoods.com/decide

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, linearly). Just add events and, viola', Montessori Magic! Join Aubrey and David as they discuss linear calendars in all their timely glory. Linear calendars are just one of our essential Montessori materials. Want a list of all? Download your own FREE copy at...

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 Aubrey as they run down the many, many reasons why plants have rooted themselves in their Montessori Essentials list. Want a copy of our entire 21 essential Montessori materials? Download your own FREE copy of our full list of Montessori Essentials at...

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. They'll also share a peek into the daily life of an amazing Montessori family! Want Authentic Montessori in your family’s life? Take our free quiz to find out which Child of the Redwoods program is right for you: www.childoftheredwoods.com/decide

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 online subscription? Don't buy the hype. Maria Montessori discovered a learning-to-read strategy that works for just about every child in just about every language, and it involves a simple, easily DIY-able material: the moveable alphabet. But first, you need to understand that...

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 classroom teacher, there is one material that is almost sure to be a huge winner at some point in a child's life: the humble (and mighty!) scrubber. Scrubbers are just one of the 21 essential Montessori materials we love. Download your own FREE copy of our full list of Montessori...

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 snapshot into the daily life of a Montessori family. Get our list of 21 Essential Montessori materials here: www.childoftheredwoods.com/essentials Take our quiz to find out which Child of the Redwoods program is right for you: www.childoftheredwoods.com/decide

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 is a free 30 minute event, so invite your friends! Geometric solids are just one of the 21 essential Montessori materials we love. Download your own FREE copy of our full list of Montessori Essentials at https://www.childoftheredwoods.com/essentials

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 EVERY BUDGET! They'll also highlight a real-life Montessori parent and Child of the Redwoods alum Adriana! To learn more about our work and get our free resources, visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

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 David can’t wait to talk about why they are a Montessori Essential. To learn more about our work and get our free resources, visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

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 teach physical science! In this episode, Aubrey and David discuss why this childhood staple is actually a brilliant material. To learn more about our work and get our free resources, visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.