Parent and child Montessori education | Happy Holler Circle

top of page

supporting families, guiding parents, respecting childhood

04 Graph Paper.png

Happy Holler Circle is home to Knoxville's first Montessori parent/child classes, workshops, and parent coaching.

Whether you are looking for parenting help, a community of like minded families, or a fun way for your child to socialize with others, welcome! I'm glad you're here.

A little peek into caregiver + child classes lately ✨

A little peek into caregiver + child classes lately ✨

🚲Saturday playdate🚲
Pump Track @ Baker's Creek
If you have an extra balance bike, bring it along so other friends can try it out if they don't have one!
RSVP: https://wix.to/yQVdPc3
#rsvpnow #savethedate

🚲Saturday playdate🚲
Pump Track @ Baker's Creek
If you have an extra balance bike, bring it along so other friends can try it out if they don't have one!
RSVP: https://wix.to/yQVdPc3
#rsvpnow #savethedate

Bonus points for chunky thighs, ridiculously cute 🎅🏽outfit, and being the child of a friend. It's such an honor to watch these babies learn and grow!

Bonus points for chunky thighs, ridiculously cute 🎅🏽outfit, and being the child of a friend. It's such an honor to watch these babies learn and grow!

Saturday morning!
Playground playdate.
RSVP @ happyhollercircle.com
(link in stories)

Saturday morning!
Playground playdate.
RSVP @ happyhollercircle.com
(link in stories)

🍏🍎SATURDAY 🍏🍎
Apple Butter Day + HHC Turning THREE

Calling all current families, alum, and friends of happy holler circle - Saturday is our all day apple butter making event! We'd love for you to join us and take a turn stirring the kettle. Details at link in bio!
#rsvpnow #savethedate

🍏🍎SATURDAY 🍏🍎
Apple Butter Day + HHC Turning THREE

Calling all current families, alum, and friends of happy holler circle - Saturday is our all day apple butter making event! We'd love for you to join us and take a turn stirring the kettle. Details at link in bio!
#rsvpnow #savethedate

🧩 This puzzle has been on the shelf this session, and I have been fascinated by how the children use it.

It's a complicated puzzle. There are two colors at the base of each post, and you have to match a small piece to the inside color and a big piece to the outside color - and the small and big pieces ALSO have to fit together.

The students who are exploring posting like putting the shapes on the pegs. They'll fill the pegs and walk away. Toddlers who are into color matching match one level of colors, but usually not both. And those who are into building make interesting sculptures, like you see here! And one precocious little one is working hard to figure out the intended way to do it.

And they're all learning exactly what they need to be learning.

🧩 This puzzle has been on the shelf this session, and I have been fascinated by how the children use it.

It's a complicated puzzle. There are two colors at the base of each post, and you have to match a small piece to the inside color and a big piece to the outside color - and the small and big pieces ALSO have to fit together.

The students who are exploring posting like putting the shapes on the pegs. They'll fill the pegs and walk away. Toddlers who are into color matching match one level of colors, but usually not both. And those who are into building make interesting sculptures, like you see here! And one precocious little one is working hard to figure out the intended way to do it.

And they're all learning exactly what they need to be learning.

🍦 Let's celebrate!

It's the end of another wonderful session, and we're celebrating with a sweet treat from the @thesugarqueencreamery

RSVP at happyhollercircle.com

See you there! 🎉

🍦 Let's celebrate!

It's the end of another wonderful session, and we're celebrating with a sweet treat from the @thesugarqueencreamery

RSVP at happyhollercircle.com

See you there! 🎉

Making matches 🏗️ 🚧

This is what reading preparation looks like at two years old!

Visually distinguishing the excavator from the wheel dozer from the bulldozer from the backhoe from the dump truck is hard work 👷🏼‍♀️ The same kind of hard work and visual discrimination they'll need later to distinguish between p d b and q.

Full disclosure, I thought this might be too many cards to have out at once. He proved me wrong!

Making matches 🏗️ 🚧

This is what reading preparation looks like at two years old!

Visually distinguishing the excavator from the wheel dozer from the bulldozer from the backhoe from the dump truck is hard work 👷🏼‍♀️ The same kind of hard work and visual discrimination they'll need later to distinguish between p d b and q.

Full disclosure, I thought this might be too many cards to have out at once. He proved me wrong!

I didn't take many 📸 from our field trip to @ijamsnaturecenter but the ones I did snap are 😍😍😍

I'm noticing the photos I managed to grab are of the younger and slightly less speedy members of the crowd 😂

The face in #3 is my favorite.

In #4 they're pointing out each other's body parts. Elbow!

I didn't take many 📸 from our field trip to @ijamsnaturecenter but the ones I did snap are 😍😍😍

I'm noticing the photos I managed to grab are of the younger and slightly less speedy members of the crowd 😂

The face in #3 is my favorite.

In #4 they're pointing out each other's body parts. Elbow!

🎃 Our annual trip to Oakes Farm is coming up!

This is easily the most popular field trip of the year, and for good reason - Oakes Farm is genuinely fun for all ages 🍂 🌽 🚜

RSVP at happyhollercircle.com to let me know you're coming, but purchase your tickets from Oakes Farm! More info on the event page.

And swipe ⬅️ to see the pic from 2022 and peep how much Happy Holler Circle and these babies have grown!

🎃 Our annual trip to Oakes Farm is coming up!

This is easily the most popular field trip of the year, and for good reason - Oakes Farm is genuinely fun for all ages 🍂 🌽 🚜

RSVP at happyhollercircle.com to let me know you're coming, but purchase your tickets from Oakes Farm! More info on the event page.

And swipe ⬅️ to see the pic from 2022 and peep how much Happy Holler Circle and these babies have grown!

✨SATURDAY✨

Come play with us!

Details and RSVP at happyhollercircle.com

✨SATURDAY✨

Come play with us!

Details and RSVP at happyhollercircle.com

Want to join us?
Join the waitlist at happyhollercircle.com! It hasn't been this short in a l o n g time, so now's your moment ✨

Want to join us?
Join the waitlist at happyhollercircle.com! It hasn't been this short in a l o n g time, so now's your moment ✨

Bonus field trip!🫐

Classes are on a little break, but we can still hang out.

SATURDAY 7/20
9:30-11:30

Blueberry Picking @ Mueller Farm
Henry + Jack (with their grownups, Heather + Matt) are having us over to Mueller Hill Farm to pick 🫐 and play in the creek!

More info at happyhollercircle.com
RSVPs required to get the address!

#rsvpnow #savethedate

Bonus field trip!🫐

Classes are on a little break, but we can still hang out.

SATURDAY 7/20
9:30-11:30

Blueberry Picking @ Mueller Farm
Henry + Jack (with their grownups, Heather + Matt) are having us over to Mueller Hill Farm to pick 🫐 and play in the creek!

More info at happyhollercircle.com
RSVPs required to get the address!

#rsvpnow #savethedate

T H U R S D A Y
July 18
Drop-in Class
$32/child

The current forecast is looking stormy, so come hang out inside with us and see what this Montessori community is all about. 💕

Tickets at happyhollercircle.com

T H U R S D A Y
July 18
Drop-in Class
$32/child

The current forecast is looking stormy, so come hang out inside with us and see what this Montessori community is all about. 💕

Tickets at happyhollercircle.com

The next session of parent + child classes starts in two weeks, so I'm working my way through the waitlist to invite new families to fill open spots! ✏️ 📋

There are ~35 families actively in class each session, split up over 5 different classes. One baby class (newborn - about 16 months) and four toddler classes (16 months - 3 years old). Most families attend session after session, building this amazing, supportive community that really gets to know each other. But because of that, the waitlist rarely moves much. I can usually only enroll a few new families a session - I think there were 5️⃣ open spots last session, which is actually more than typical!

But FALL. 🍃🍂🍁 The time of transition and change. I know the weather doesn't feel like it ☀️ but the school calendar says otherwise. So many families graduated to become happy holler alumni, and I have TEN OPEN SPOTS!

So if you've been waiting to join classes, check your email! ✉️

And if you've been thinking about enrolling, now is a good time to join the waitlist because I'm finally putting a dent in it! 🙌🏼

(If you didn't get an email this first round, don't despair! I give this round of families two days to respond before I move on down the list. The next round of invitations will go out on Wednesday!)

The next session of parent + child classes starts in two weeks, so I'm working my way through the waitlist to invite new families to fill open spots! ✏️ 📋

There are ~35 families actively in class each session, split up over 5 different classes. One baby class (newborn - about 16 months) and four toddler classes (16 months - 3 years old). Most families attend session after session, building this amazing, supportive community that really gets to know each other. But because of that, the waitlist rarely moves much. I can usually only enroll a few new families a session - I think there were 5️⃣ open spots last session, which is actually more than typical!

But FALL. 🍃🍂🍁 The time of transition and change. I know the weather doesn't feel like it ☀️ but the school calendar says otherwise. So many families graduated to become happy holler alumni, and I have TEN OPEN SPOTS!

So if you've been waiting to join classes, check your email! ✉️

And if you've been thinking about enrolling, now is a good time to join the waitlist because I'm finally putting a dent in it! 🙌🏼

(If you didn't get an email this first round, don't despair! I give this round of families two days to respond before I move on down the list. The next round of invitations will go out on Wednesday!)

I can't believe the end of the summer session is already here! Join us to celebrate this Friday at Hey Bear Cafe. For more info and to RSVP: https://wix.to/3VDSuEh
#rsvpnow #savethedate

I can't believe the end of the summer session is already here! Join us to celebrate this Friday at Hey Bear Cafe. For more info and to RSVP: https://wix.to/3VDSuEh
#rsvpnow #savethedate

S A T U R D A Y
Join us at Fountain City Park for some Creek Play!

Also please enjoy this two year old picture of a very happy redhead. I briefly attempted to update the photo to our creek adventure from last year, but when it wasn't loading, I figured H could represent creek play for one more year. :)
https://wix.to/0NORTrM
#rsvpnow #savethedate

S A T U R D A Y
Join us at Fountain City Park for some Creek Play!

Also please enjoy this two year old picture of a very happy redhead. I briefly attempted to update the photo to our creek adventure from last year, but when it wasn't loading, I figured H could represent creek play for one more year. :)
https://wix.to/0NORTrM
#rsvpnow #savethedate

🥳 T H U R S D A Y 🥳

If you've ever wanted to check out parent + child Montessori classes, this is for you!

Experience our peaceful, supportive classroom environment setup for children 0-3. (And no, I don't mean your child needs to be peaceful to come 😉, just that it will feel peaceful and supportive for YOU!)

🎟️ Link in stories. Currently only 5 left.

See you there!

🥳 T H U R S D A Y 🥳

If you've ever wanted to check out parent + child Montessori classes, this is for you!

Experience our peaceful, supportive classroom environment setup for children 0-3. (And no, I don't mean your child needs to be peaceful to come 😉, just that it will feel peaceful and supportive for YOU!)

🎟️ Link in stories. Currently only 5 left.

See you there!

With summer comes the return of some drop-in classes! ☀️

Announcing 2️⃣ drop in dates this month: June 20 + June 27. If you have ever wanted to check out parent + child classes, this is for you! Summer is likely the only time this year I will offer drop-in classes, so come say hi!

For 🎟️, see link in bio. 💕 #savethedate

With summer comes the return of some drop-in classes! ☀️

Announcing 2️⃣ drop in dates this month: June 20 + June 27. If you have ever wanted to check out parent + child classes, this is for you! Summer is likely the only time this year I will offer drop-in classes, so come say hi!

For 🎟️, see link in bio. 💕 #savethedate

🎁 I got some surprise mail this week - a box full of items from my wishlist! 🤩

It made my whole week. And it's been a *h a r d* week, so it was an extra special surprise.

Whoever you are, thank you so much! 🤗

🎁 I got some surprise mail this week - a box full of items from my wishlist! 🤩

It made my whole week. And it's been a *h a r d* week, so it was an extra special surprise.

Whoever you are, thank you so much! 🤗

✨ making connections 🟩 🔼 🔵

✨ making connections 🟩 🔼 🔵

Parent + child classes are full of movement because movement is how children learn!

Those still images of children working peacefully are only one part of class - the easy to capture with a 📸 part 😏 But this run is a big part of class, too!

Parent + child classes are full of movement because movement is how children learn!

Those still images of children working peacefully are only one part of class - the easy to capture with a 📸 part 😏 But this run is a big part of class, too!

🛝 Come play with us!

This weekend we're checking out the new playground at Lakeshore Park. The photos I've seen look amazing!

The second image is a map showing where to go. If you feel like you might need it, go ahead and screenshot that image or save this post.

See you there! 💜

🛝 Come play with us!

This weekend we're checking out the new playground at Lakeshore Park. The photos I've seen look amazing!

The second image is a map showing where to go. If you feel like you might need it, go ahead and screenshot that image or save this post.

See you there! 💜

New blog post:
💐Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, hopeful future mamas, and "just like a mama's"!

Such a simple sounding, yet potentially comp.li.ca.ted. holiday. I needed to process a lot around the whole concept this year, so I spent some precious childcare hours writing out my thoughts.

📖Read if you like peeking into my brain, which could be summed up as 'new foster parent experiences first mother's day'.
happyhollercircle.com/blog
#newblogpost

New blog post:
💐Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, hopeful future mamas, and "just like a mama's"!

Such a simple sounding, yet potentially comp.li.ca.ted. holiday. I needed to process a lot around the whole concept this year, so I spent some precious childcare hours writing out my thoughts.

📖Read if you like peeking into my brain, which could be summed up as 'new foster parent experiences first mother's day'.
happyhollercircle.com/blog
#newblogpost

🌞 Happy Holler Circle is gearing up for summer! 💦

Over the next few days I'll be finalizing enrollment for summer classes, so if you're on the wait-list, keep an eye on your email! ✉️

And if you've been thinking about joining the wait-list, now is the time - there's more class turnover in this session and the next (beginning of fall) as families graduate. It's a good time to join up!

🌞 Happy Holler Circle is gearing up for summer! 💦

Over the next few days I'll be finalizing enrollment for summer classes, so if you're on the wait-list, keep an eye on your email! ✉️

And if you've been thinking about joining the wait-list, now is the time - there's more class turnover in this session and the next (beginning of fall) as families graduate. It's a good time to join up!

It's almost parent + teacher conference week! 🤓

In celebration of May, which holds Mother's Day AND National Foster Care Awareness Month, all conferences are 25% off! 🥳

We can always chat about any parenting topic, but some timely topics for May might be:
🪻Preparing your little one to start school this fall
🪻Establishing good summer routines
🪻Preparing the outside environment for independent play
🪻Toilet learning (because it's always a good time to talk about that!)
🪻Sleep/floor beds/preparing the room for sleeping

Booking time slots are extremely limited, so move quickly if you need a specific slot. I will only be able to accommodate a few extras outside of the set times this session.

To book: choose "parent coaching" from the menu at happyhollercircle.com

It's almost parent + teacher conference week! 🤓

In celebration of May, which holds Mother's Day AND National Foster Care Awareness Month, all conferences are 25% off! 🥳

We can always chat about any parenting topic, but some timely topics for May might be:
🪻Preparing your little one to start school this fall
🪻Establishing good summer routines
🪻Preparing the outside environment for independent play
🪻Toilet learning (because it's always a good time to talk about that!)
🪻Sleep/floor beds/preparing the room for sleeping

Booking time slots are extremely limited, so move quickly if you need a specific slot. I will only be able to accommodate a few extras outside of the set times this session.

To book: choose "parent coaching" from the menu at happyhollercircle.com

friends + food + fun 🎉

Join us Friday at Kern's Food Hall @kernsfoodhall to celebrate the end of another wonderful session of classes!

🌞 Weather permitting, we'll be outside on the lawn/patio space so the littles can have room to roam.

Rsvp: happyhollercircle.com

See you there! 😎

friends + food + fun 🎉

Join us Friday at Kern's Food Hall @kernsfoodhall to celebrate the end of another wonderful session of classes!

🌞 Weather permitting, we'll be outside on the lawn/patio space so the littles can have room to roam.

Rsvp: happyhollercircle.com

See you there! 😎

Calling all caregivers with little littles at home! 🐥

Dr. Cheyenne (@milestonestw ) is a physical therapist who has offered to teach us about the benefits of infant massage for both caregivers + babies. Participants will learn various massage techniques aimed at enhancing feeding, reducing gas discomfort, and promoting healthy weight gain.

Following the 30 min group massage session, Dr. Cheyenne will be available for a Q&A session to address any questions related to developmental milestones.

🎟️ at happyhollercircle.com.
Class size is limited.

Calling all caregivers with little littles at home! 🐥

Dr. Cheyenne (@milestonestw ) is a physical therapist who has offered to teach us about the benefits of infant massage for both caregivers + babies. Participants will learn various massage techniques aimed at enhancing feeding, reducing gas discomfort, and promoting healthy weight gain.

Following the 30 min group massage session, Dr. Cheyenne will be available for a Q&A session to address any questions related to developmental milestones.

🎟️ at happyhollercircle.com.
Class size is limited.

🤸🏼‍♀️Come play with us!

There's a new playground at Beverly Park, and we're going to check it out this weekend! It's an intergenerational playground, giving it some unique features, like a double swing where an adult can sit facing a baby swing and you both move together. And mobility steps that make a good spot for little ones to practice their stair skills! I'm excited to see it in action with you all.

Come for some or all of the time - we would love to see you there!

🤸🏼‍♀️Come play with us!

There's a new playground at Beverly Park, and we're going to check it out this weekend! It's an intergenerational playground, giving it some unique features, like a double swing where an adult can sit facing a baby swing and you both move together. And mobility steps that make a good spot for little ones to practice their stair skills! I'm excited to see it in action with you all.

Come for some or all of the time - we would love to see you there!

Actually took some photos this week to show off the spring session in action! Most 📸 taken on the one class day where I did *not* have a cute certain toddler in tow, but I'll still take that as a win. 🥳

Actually took some photos this week to show off the spring session in action! Most 📸 taken on the one class day where I did *not* have a cute certain toddler in tow, but I'll still take that as a win. 🥳

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@happyhollercircle

05 Flower Pattern 02.png

ABOUT

Rebekah Carpenter

parent educator

I am a Montessori educator, and I love working with families to help them thrive at home. My goal is for you to parent with confidence.

Whether you attend playgroup classes, a parenting workshop, use my consultation services, or all of the above, I want you to feel secure that you know how to raise the little humans in your care.

BLOG

Baby Development in Motion

Mother's Day Emotions

Rebekah Carpenter

Mother's Day Emotions

I get a lot of mom content in my feed. A month or so ago I got all the emails from conscious brands asking me if I wanted to opt out of...

Lesson of the Week: As Safe As Necessary, Not As Safe As Possible

Rebekah Carpenter

Lesson of the Week: As Safe As Necessary, Not As Safe As Possible

Each week during parent + child classes, I give parents a Lesson of the Week. It's a short, single piece of paper on some parenting...

SHOPPING GUIDE: for small hands Fall/Holiday 2022

Rebekah Carpenter

SHOPPING GUIDE: for small hands Fall/Holiday 2022

Every year, For Small Hands holds a promotion where families can purchase from them to benefit a school. If you place an order between...

04 Graph Paper.png

BLOG

Want to read more about Montessori parenting?

Tesimonals

Diana C.

“Rebekah has taught me so much about being a parent, and I trust her with my children with zero hesitation. She’s the best!”

MariKate A.

"If you are looking for a great group of kids to play with OR a fantastic and supportive group of parents for yourself, this is the place to be."

Anne N.

"If you are in need of some extra parenting support from a loving and educated source, this is your lady!!"

04 Graph Paper.png

TESTIMONIALS

Parents Speak

bottom of page