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"The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six." ~ Dr. Maria Montessori

Overview
The Sundborn Children's House serves twenty-five 21/2 to 6 year olds in Albany, Oregon. The program goals are to meet the social, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of children by offering a child-centered environment in a warm, loving and secure atmosphere. The program is based on Dr. Montessori's philosophy and educational methods which foster self-awareness and independence built through repeated experiences of personal success and self-mastery.
The name Sundborn comes from the name of the village where the Swedish painter, Karl Larsson, and his wife, Karin, raised their family near the turn of this century. His love and respect of children were reflected in the cozy house that he and Karin created.

Staff
The Director of the school, Karen Madsen-Barton has been actively involved in the Montessori community of the Northwest for 30 years. She has guided children of these ages in six different classrooms and directed the non-profit Overlake Montessori School in Bellevue, Washington. In addition to her B. A. degree from the University of Washington, she has taken the Association of Montessori Internationale training at the Montessori Institute Northwest in Portland, Oregon.
Karen and her husband, Keith, are parents of two grown sons and live with five goats, two Toulouse geese, two cats and their dog in north Benton County. The staff includes two assistants.

Environment:
"...education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment." - M. Montessori
The physical setting at Sundborn Children's House brings the world into the children's grasp. Using materials and activities designed specifically for his or her needs, size and development, the child is able to move about the environment freely to choose his or her own work. The variety is diverse, attractive and inviting.
This setting together with a trained Guide develops the whole personality of the child, not merely the intellectual faculties, but also the skills of deliberation, initiative, and independence and increased awareness of the child's emotional nature. The School assists the children in developing a community which is mindful of the group's needs and respectful to one another.

Sundborn Children's House offers a place where children can thrive in a carefully designed, holistic and supportive community.

For Further Information
Please contact the school for additional program information.

Sundborn Children's House

Non-Profit School - IRS 501(c)3
Nonsectarian
Enrollment: 25 students
Ages: 21/2--6

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© 2012 Montessori Foundation of Washington dba Sundborn Children's House. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, December 30, 2011 11:41 AM
The Sundborn Children's House is the only school operated by the Montessori Foundation of Washington, a nonprofit IRS 501(c)(3) Foundation. The Montessori Foundation of Washington does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admission, or the administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, creed, national or ethnic origin or gender.