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 at worst - fails to provide a rich part of the environment that stokes fire in every human soul and leaves long-lasting emotional impressions that are needed later on in adult life.

Find the show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com
Love, 
Aubrey

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 a must in Montessori.

In this episode, we're talking about what the most common Montessori printables include and some tips for using them (or skipping them) in your Montessori homeschool.

You can find the show notes at ChildoftheRedwoods.com

Love, 
Aubrey

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 ChildoftheRedwoods.com

Love, 
Aubrey

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 Homeschooler's Magical Adventure guide for an introduction to homeschooling at ChildoftheRedwoods.com in the show notes of this episode.

Love, 
Aubrey

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 of No Cost Ways to Make Your Home More Child-Centered. Download it in the show notes of this episode at ChildoftheRedwoods.com

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.

Love, 
Aubrey

P.S. Go to ChildoftheRedwoods.com to view the show notes and get a copy of my Brand New Homeschooler's guide.