The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

1KHO 872: What If There Was An Easier Way To Raise Children? | Simone Davies, Montessori

July 29, 2026·56 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

What if raising capable, confident children could feel less like a constant power struggle, and more like a partnership? In this episode, Ginny welcomes Simone Davies, Montessori educator and co-author of The Montessori Baby, The Montessori Toddler, and The Montessori Child, for the podcast’s first-ever conversation about Montessori parenting. Simone explains how Montessori principles can be used at home to help children grow in independence, responsibility, curiosity, and confidence. She shares why parents are meant to be guides rather than bosses or servants, how a thoughtfully prepared environment can reduce nagging and conflict, and why slowing down gives children the time they need to explore, practice, solve problems, and develop at their own pace. They also explore the four major stages of childhood, from birth through age 24, including the often-overlooked stability and enormous intellectual capacity of children ages six to twelve. Simone offers practical ideas for following a child’s interests, involving them in real family life, supporting hands-on learning, and preparing them for the gradual independence of adolescence and young adulthood. This encouraging conversation is a reminder that children are far more capable than we often assume, and that parenting can become more peaceful when we learn to observe, trust, guide, and let go. Learn more about Simone here. A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Whisker - Take care of your cats while taking an additional $50 off bundles with code 1000HOURS when you shop www.whisker.com/1000HOURS  woom Bikes - Go to woom.com and use code 1000HOURS at checkout for 10% off your new bike purchase, excluding the woom WOW. Muzzle Sleep Tape - Go to MuzzleSleep.com and use code 1000HOURS for 10% off.  Ethos Life Insurance - Get your free quote at ethos.com/1000hours  Active Skin Repair - Don’t forget to put this in your first aid kit! Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com and use the code 1000HOURS to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.