Why Those Big Box Homeschool Curriculums Miss the Mark
When parents decide they want to do Montessori, they want it all, and they want it now.
They’ve heard the stories. Montessori kids are confident. Creative. Thoughtful. They know how to solve problems, manage emotions, and chase curiosity like it’s their job. (Because, honestly, it is.)
And as a parent, you feel that urgency. Your child is growing up incredibly quickly, and every moment matters. Every day is a chance to shape the foundation of who they are becoming.
So you go online and type in “homeschool curriculum for [age of child]”. And what you find is...a box. Of stuff. That will be mailed to you.
They promise a full homeschooling experience, shipped right to your door. Everything you need for the whole year for all core subjecs. It all looks so pretty. So easy. Each day’s lesson is pre-planned for you. Follow the schedule, and you know that come May 31st…you’ll be done with the homeschooling for the year.
This would be awesome if it worked for all kids, but there are a few problems with this approach, and they are big ones.
The Fast Food Problem: Good Teaching Doesn’t Come in a Happy Meal
Big box curriculums are designed to be convenient, and they sure do appear to solve all the problems a homeschooling parent may face. They also make promises like “only takes 20 minutes per day”! Which sounds great!
“I can do 20 minutes!” you think.
Here’s the issue: children are learning all the time. Everywhere they go. With everyone they spend time with. You are the teacher, and if you limit yourself to thinking that the “homeschooling” is only going to take 20 minutes of your day - or theirs - .
They give you the materials, but not the method.
They offer activities, but not understanding.
They assume you can “do Montessori” by following a checklist, rather than learning to follow your child.
And here’s where it gets messy: without deep guidance, those boxes can lead you down a path of constant second-guessing.
You might start wondering:
Am I doing this right?
What if my child isn’t interested in this material?
Why does our homeschool feel disconnected, chaotic, or overwhelming?
That’s because Montessori isn’t about the “stuff.” It’s about the relationship. Between you and your child. Between your child and their inner teacher. Between your home and the world you’re building together.
The Child of the Redwoods Curriculum Is Different (On Purpose)
We don’t ship you a big box and call it a day.
Instead, we walk with you. Step-by-step. Lesson-by-lesson. With interdisciplinary learning. With fully scripted presentations that are easy to follow. With quality printable materials and thoughtful reflection prompts that help you become the observer Montessori calls you to be.
We created the Child of the Redwoods Curriculum because parents kept saying, “I want to do Montessori, but I don’t know where to start. I feel lost. I need help understanding how to follow my child’s interests and feel like we’re making progress.”
So we built a complete, comprehensive curriculum for ages 2–9 that honors both the method and you, the parent who’s learning too.
We give you:
A clear scope and sequence, so you’re never left wondering what comes next.
Tools to prepare the environment without needing a massive budget.
Ongoing guidance and community, so you don’t burn out alone in your overwhelm.
Because Montessori isn’t about doing it all at once. It’s about growing into it. Like a plant reaching for sunlight, a little bit each day.
Sweet friend, you are not behind.
You are not too late. You are not missing some magical “Montessori gene.” You are already your child’s most important teacher.
And if you’re craving a path that gives you both the freedom of following your child and the structure of knowing what to teach when...oh my gosh, you are going to love this.
✨ Ready to experience real Montessori at home? ✨
Join our community and try the Child of the Redwoods Curriculum free for 7 days.
Start your trial now →
Or, if you’re just getting curious...
Take the Homeschool Superpower Quiz and discover your teaching strengths.
You’ve got this. I’m so excited for you.
Your child’s need for movement is not a barrier to Montessori learning; in fact, right now, it’s a bonus!
Let’s Tweak Those Lessons
Your child is not behind. He’s not weird. And the lesson may be spot on. Instead, trust that he’s showing you exactly what he needs, and right now that’s big, whole-body learning with a dollop of super sensory fun!
The next time you bring out those sound games, I want you to try these twists:
Move. Don’t sit still! Get that basket of little objects and this time scatter them around the house, strategically. Then, say “I spy something in the kitchen on the counter that starts with /m/!” Let your child race into the kitchent to retrieve that mmmmmmuffin! Now that is joyful, integrated phonemic awareness.
Take it outside. Indoor activities may not be your child’s best friend right now. You can still play sound games on the playground. “I see the sssssswing!”
Make it musical. Instead of talking calmly through the lesson, try singing or using a fun rhythmic voice. Children do pay more attention to sing-songy and peculiar voices. That’s why shows like Sesame Street use it to their advantage!
Progress Will Happen
In the meantime, your lessons will get a lot more fun, and you’ll start feeling more confident as your child’s teacher. Know that concentration does take time to develop..sometimes lots of time if your child is a little developmentally on the slow side. There’s nothing wrong with that, if you were wondering. There’s a wide range of “normal” in early childhood.
As time goes on, you’ll start to have more wins, though! Your child will stay focused for longer. He will revisit familiar materials and use them more purposefully. One day, you’ll just find yourself using that quiet, calm voice again and he’ll be still for a little while.
This is Montessori magic in action.
You meet your child where they are, and in doing so, you build the bridge to where they’re going.
You Can Absolutely Do This
You don’t need a “perfect” child who sits cross-legged and nods on cue. Who wants that anyway when you already have a TRULY perfect child? A wild and wonderful, curious and courageous one! You already have what it takes to teach this little darling: love and trust.
If you’re nodding right now, thinking, this sounds like my child, we’ve got your number.
And if you want to know exactly how to plan your Montessori day, what materials to offer next, what lessons to wait on, we've got a resource for you that will make it all feel so much easier.
🎉 Start your 7-day free trial of the Child of the Redwoods Curriculum. You’ll get instant access to the Lesson Explorer, fully-scripted sound games, a plethora of ideas for sensory-seeking kids, and our Montessori Planning Card System to help you create a homeschool rhythm that you love.
