Our School

“If you create the right environment for learning, every young child will explode into self-directed learning. And in doing so, they will discover the joy of learning and fulfillment. And they will go on teaching themselves throughout life.”
-Maria Montessori, “The Rebirth of a Legend”

 

Our Story

SunGarden Montessori Children’s House was started in 1980 in a little blue house on Long Street in West Linn, Oregon by three Montessori guides who had just completed the first AMI Montessori training course in Portland. In 1984, a second children’s house community was created in the daylight basement.

Today, we are a thriving community in our original house with families from West Linn, Lake Oswego, Oregon City and throughout the Portland area. Our staff is deeply dedicated to providing an optimal experience for every child; our parent community is active and strong; and our Board is consistently working on projects that support our current stability as well as future enhancements of our SunGarden community.

Affiliation

SunGarden is an AMI recognized school and is reviewed through consultations on a regular basis. AMI is the acronym for Association Montessori Internationale. This is the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori to assure that her vision was being fully realized. It is this association to which people all over the world look for assurance that the purest standards of Montessori philosophical integrity and professional training are being upheld.

-  All of our guides, our administrative staff, and most of our assistants are
AMI-trained as primary guides.

-  SunGarden is registered with the State of Oregon as a private, nonsectarian school and belongs to the Oregon Federation of Independent Schools and the Oregon Montessori Association.

- SunGarden is a licensed and certified program through the Child Care Division of Oregon.

- SunGarden is also proud to be recognized as a Clackamas County Jr. Green School.

Our Philosophy

At SunGarden, we consciously strive to aid the development of the whole child at all times. We do so by preparing ourselves to see the beauty in each child with fresh eyes every day, and by thoughtfully preparing environments that will support each child’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual life.

Trevor Eissler, author of Montessori Madness, creatively shares his thoughts about the value of a quality Montessori education for young children in this video.

Social
Living in a mixed-age community of 3-6 year olds, guided by Grace and Courtesy lessons, regularly practiced conflict resolution, and the modeling and encouragement of respectful adults, allows children daily opportunities to practice positive social interactions.

As a result, a culture of compassion, respect, responsibility and interdependence is established in which children have the opportunity to develop confidence and competence as gracious leaders.

Daily opportunities are provided for children to participate in large and small group activities, sharing their uniqueness while respecting the needs of others. At SunGarden, social and global awareness is emphasized through the cultural geography work and through participation in community service projects, such as Pennies for Peace, clothing and book drives, and cleaning up the city park across the street.

Emotional
Children are welcomed into the SunGarden community in a thoughtful, purposeful manner in an effort to establish a sense of comfort, safety and security. Within this nurturing setting, children are supported in developing independence, self-discipline and a deep understanding of their unique qualities through:
* The mindful responsiveness of the guides and assistants;
* The introduction of carefully chosen materials aimed at meeting each child’s interests,      needs, and abilities;
* The freedom to make choices;
* And an opportunity to fully engage in a chosen activity, working at one’s own pace for as    long as interest is sustained.

Working with the practical life materials, children develop skills of self-care and care of the environment – skills that allow children to contribute meaningfully to the life of the community, thus strengthening their self-confidence & building a strong sense of belonging.

Children are introduced to a variety of ways in which to express their emotions through art, music, movement and language activities. For example, a poem or illustration expressing one’s feelings is often the source of great comfort.

Intellectual
With a deep understanding of Montessori principles and practices, combined with recognition of children’s innate inquisitiveness; guides at SunGarden introduce the “magic” of the Montessori materials to each child.

The clarity and wisdom within the materials comes alive for children through repeated manipulation. The repetition then leads to a deep understanding and appreciation of key intellectual and developmental concepts. For example, the golden bead material embodies a complex concept: the decimal system. This series of lessons is introduced to young children in a most inviting, concrete, game-like way. This joyful approach to the decimal system and all materials in the prepared environment invites children to fully participate in every aspect of their work, resulting in deep satisfaction and fulfillment.

Each child who completes the full 3 – 4 year cycle at SunGarden will be assured of a well-rounded Montessori experience, being introduced to the full range of materials in all areas – practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, art, music, science and geography.

Physical
Recognizing that the refinement of large and small motor skills is a driving force within young children and that movement of the hand directly influences brain development; we provide many creative opportunities for active engagement.  Children are welcomed to choose activities indoors and outdoors throughout the day.

With thoughtfully prepared outdoor environments, children enjoy gardening, art, science, and  practical life activities in our outdoor classroom extensions as well as our Natural Outdoor Environment that includes garden beds, a worm and compost bin, a large deck, a stone climbing area, an in-hill slide and a musical fence.
Daily group movement activities indoors, that often include music, allow children to refine their own balance, rhythm, and large motor coordination while also developing an awareness of one’s place in space in relation to others.

Spiritual
While SunGarden is not religiously affiliated, we do acknowledge young children’s strong aesthetic sense by creating beautiful environments enlivened by cultural, natural and artistic artifacts. Children are given the opportunity to beautify their environments with personal artistic expressions such as lovely bouquets created with the flower arranging work. Children appreciate simple daily rituals that provide a calm, assuring routine as well as the joy of celebratory traditions. Children’s deep connection to the earth is honored and encouraged with opportunities for nature appreciation and creative expression. A Place of Peace has been created in the yard in which children may sit near a small fountain amongst vine maples & sweet woodruff enjoying the tranquility and beauty of this little piece of the earth.