Moments at TPMS
Saying No and Being Heard
By Dr. Becky Bailey In its simplest terms, saying “no” and being heard is called “assertiveness.” It is a key skill that both adults and children must cultivate in order to develop healthy relationships. Assertive commands focus on what you want to have happen, give...
How to Know When Development Is Going Awry
Written by Maren Schmidt on March 25th, 2017 “Is my child going through a stage, or is something wrong?” is a question that runs through our minds, usually in the wee hours of the morning. We worry because the question addresses the art of being a parent, that is,...
A Parent’s Perspective
To my fellow TPMS parents— As a new parent to TPMS, while my son is thriving in his classroom, I’m still trying to figure out my role as a parent at the school. Volunteer hours are required as part of our enrollment to keep us connected as a community and to help keep...
Grace and Courtesy
By Ana VanderPol, Primary Guide at The Portland Montessori School Being in a mini-community brings a lot of opportunities to practice using our words, and helping others learn whatever that may be. Sometimes we are part of another person’s learning. In our classroom,...
The Benefits of Keeping your Child in Montessori through Kindergarten: AMother’s Perspective
By Sarah Anderson; current TPMS parent & Board Member A week from now, my baby will turn six. I am certain I could recount every detail of the first day I took him to the Children’s House two months before he turned three . . . what he wore, how his hair flopped...
School History
The Portland Montessori School, formerly Providence Montessori School, was founded in September 1962 under the direction of Sister Francella LaFramboise, who studied extensively at Montessori institutes in both the United States and Europe. In 2012, the school celebrated its 50th birthday, and we have the proud distinction of being the first Montessori school in the Northwest.
THE TRANSITION TO THE PORTLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL
On January 1, 2013, Providence Montessori School officially became The Portland Montessori School, an independent, non-profit school. This successful transition resulted from the dedicated efforts of the school community, and the hard work of many parents, teachers and staff. Providence Health Systems, the organization that previously operated the school, also provided significant support throughout the transition. Now operating independently, the school is guided by a board of directors with active involvement and input from an engaged parent advisory committee (PAC). Our school retains its former character and community, including its rich history of providing a Montessori education to Portland-area children.
AN APPROACH TO EDUCATION DEVELOPED BY DR. MARIA MONTESSORI
At The Portland Montessori School, we educate children according to the Montessori method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, and a pioneer in the study of child development. This method is based on her work with developmentally challenged and underprivileged children in Italy, which she began after graduating from medical school in 1896. The approach quickly earned worldwide acclaim and became a standard approach to educating children.
THE MONTESSORI APPROACH
In a Montessori education, children learn concepts while working in a carefully prepared environment designed to stimulate each child’s interest and understanding. Children work independently and in small groups with mixed-ages ranging approximately three years. Because a Montessori education instills the value of caring for our earth, the classroom often extends to the outdoors. The Montessori approach helps each child develop according to his or her inner clock. The guide, or teacher, acts as a catalyst in each child’s unique journey of development and aids them in their natural process of growth and learning.
The time-tested principles, methods and materials used in a Montessori education are scientifically supported and researched. After more than a century, this method continues to work because of its foundation in both observable and inherent human developmental principles that Dr. Montessori explored during her many decades of scientific observation and practice.