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

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 Maria Montessori.In this Power Hour, Aubrey and David unpack why multi-age learning isn’t just manageable, it’s ideal. _______________________________RESOURCES:✅ Take our free quiz to see what kind of homeschooler you are! → https://www.childoftheredwoods.com/quiz ✅ Love themes? Free trial right here ➡️ www.childoftheredwoods.com/trial ✅ Complete Montessori homeschool curriculum that is affordable and fun for ages 2-9: https://www.childoftheredwoods.com_______________________________👋 Get behind the scenes of Child of the Redwoods on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/childoftheredwoods/If you’re ready to stop guessing and start using Montessori materials the right way, check out our complete step-by-step homeschool at Child of the Redwoods. Our programs provide a complete framework for teaching your preschooler through third grader (ages 2-9). Our homeschooling system makes planning a whole lot easier, with lessons that inspire and guide your child gently in all subject areas. 🌟 Subscribe for fun activities for the whole family and Montessori homeschooling tips!

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, friends! Montessori is NEITHER a strict script NOR a total free-for-all. It’s a balance, a sweet spot of freedom within structure.

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 or your child.In this episode, we're sharing what actually makes Montessori work and why treating it like a boxed curriculum leads so many parents to confusion, frustration, and self-doubt.Because Montessori isn’t fast food. It’s home cooking. And YOU are the chef.

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 that “following the child” means stepping back entirely. We get it! You’re trying so hard to respect your child’s independence and let them lead—but instead of feeling confident, you’re wondering if you’re doing enough. Or anything at all. Here’s the truth no one talks about enough: Montessori isn’t passive. It’s deeply intentional. Following the child doesn’t mean letting go of structure—it means creating it with purpose.

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 most overlooked—skill in Montessori homeschooling: observation. Not lesson planning. Not curriculum shopping. Observation.You’ll learn why focusing on how to teach matters more than what to teach. When you observe first and teach second, your homeschool shifts from chaos to clarity. You stop second-guessing. Your child feels seen. And every lesson lands exactly when they’re ready for it.This is part 3 in our series on The Montessori Homeschool Blueprint.

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, Aubrey and David reveal the number one reason parents get stuck when trying Montessori at home. Spoiler: It’s not about your effort. It’s about missing the method!Plus, we celebrate Earth Day with Mr. Bunny, sharing fun, Montessori-aligned nature activities your child will love.

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 signs of readiness for something new. What are those signs? How do we know when our toddlers are ready to begin their journey with the Primary materials? Join Aubrey and David on YouTube as they explore this (very frequently asked) topic!  To learn more about our work, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

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 containers for things that spark joy! Understanding the child's sensitivity to order is key, so join us for an episode all about how to engage your Primary child. Plus, we'll be featuring our stegosaurus plates activity from our Constellation theme Dinosaur! To learn more about our work, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

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 kids. It lends itself to Montessori scissor precision practice + geometrical explorations, and...the results are always amazing! Say hello to concentric hearts!  For more Montessori magic, visit us at www.childoftheredwoods.com.

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 programs, and we have an Awesome Lesson for you! We're going to give you a sneak peek into our latest theme Pigment and show you how a simple prism in your window can be a HUGE opportunity for learning. For more about our work, visit us online at www.childoftheredwoods.com.