L I V E • PLAY • DO
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Waldorf, Montessori & Reggio Emilia Schools Back-to-School Resale Guide Backyard Staycations
nwkidsmagazine.com
AUGUST 2022
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Editor’s Note It feels as though summer has just begun and we’re already getting ready to head back to school! Summer 2022 has been our first relatively “normal” summer in several years and for little ones who were born during Covid, certainly the most normal summer on record. While not all camps are back to their usual operations, we are so happy to see how many are. Looking at the social media pages of our clients and seeing happy kiddos learning, socializing and moving their bodies is an absolute joy. Here’s to an even more “normal” Summer 2023! Our August issue takes a look at some of the Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio Emilia school options in our area. Take a look and learn about the different styles. One of them may be the right fit for your family! We also have some great tips on how to maximize your back-to-school shopping budget by shopping resale and a guide to planning a backyard staycation. We’ll see you next month with our annual Birthday Guide. Until then, I hope that you and yours are savoring these last sweet weeks of summer! Cheers,
Mary
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Contents AUGUST 2022 8 Montessori, Waldorf & Reggio Emilia Education 18 5 Steps to Take the Stress out of Back-to-School Shopping 21 Local Resale Stores 22 Planning a Backyard Staycation
Cover photography by PORTLAND PRESCHOOL OF THE ARTS
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Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editor/Account Manager Mary Brady mary@nwkidsmagazine.com Graphic Designer Robyn Taylor robyn@folkloremedia.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com
Listings AWVCS...........................................................16 Aim High Martial Arts..................................... 7 All Families Surrogacy...................................15 Beanstalk........................................................11 Bennett Suzuki...............................................16 BodyVox........................................................... 3 Cedarwood....................................................... 3 ChapmanSmiles.............................................14 Childswork....................................................... 3 Club K After School Zone................................. 7 FAIS.................................................................. 2 German American Society.............................16 German International School........................10 L’etoile French Immersion School..................17
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Little Fruit Farm..............................................15 Micha-el School............................................... 7 Montessori of Alameda.................................15 MSB................................................................11 OES.................................................................17 Oregon Charter Academy..............................10 Oregon Repertory Singers.............................24 Play Fit Fun.....................................................24 Portland Village School..................................15 Scuola Italiana di Portland............................16 The Children’s Garden....................................16 The Hangout .................................................11 West Hills Montessori....................................14 Wow & Flutterville Garden............................11
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Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia Education While there are many educational philosophies and styles, not all are the right match for every child. Let’s take a look at some of the Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia inspired choices in the Portland Metro area.
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Montessori The Montessori Method of Education, developed by Maria Montessori, is a childcentered educational approach based on scientific observations of children. Montessori’s method has been used for over 100 years in many parts of the world. The Montessori method views the child as the one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It attempts to develop children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively.
Little Fruit Farm
LITTLE FRUIT FARM
Celebrating a Love for Learning since 2004. Beautiful Home & Garden School, Classical Montessori Activities year-round. Ages 2-6, Contact for tuition details. 16445 SW Melinda St, Beaverton 503-521-8603 littlefruitfarmmontessori.com
Montessori of Alameda
MONTESSORI OF ALAMEDA
They provide a child centered educational environment and bilingual Spanish and English Montessori experience for children birth to Kindergarten. Ages 3mo-K, $1,246 - $1,945/month 4210 NE Going Street 503-335-3321 montessoriofalameda.com
Montessori School of Beaverton
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BEAVERTON
As a community dedicated to Montessori ideals, MSB supports the development of the whole child, guiding each toward their full potential. Ages 3-12, $10,660$13,630/yr 11065 NW Crystal Creek Lane 503-439-1597 msb.org
West Hills Montessori School
WEST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Serving Portland area families for more than 50 years, their Montessori classes meet the social, emotional and academic needs of children ages 3 to 12 years. Ages 3-12, See website for rates 4920 SW Vermont St 503-246-5495 westhills-montessori.com
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Waldorf Waldorf education is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy. Its pedagogy strives to develop pupils’ intellectual, artistic, and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner. The cultivation of pupils’ imagination and creativity is a central focus.The first Waldorf school opened in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany. A century later, it has become the largest independent school movement in the world, with about 1,200 independent Waldorf schools,1,800 kindergartens and 646 centers for special education located in 75 countries.
Cedarwood Waldorf School
CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL
With a reverence for the developing the whole child, Cedarwood curriculum weaves together the arts, academics, language, emotional learning, and movement. Grades Pre-K - 8, $7,500 - $17,250/yr 3030 SW 2nd Ave 503-245-1477 cedarwoodschool.org
Micha-el School
MICHA-EL SCHOOL
Inspire your child with Waldorf education. Weaving academics with creativity to inspire joyful learning. Grades K-8, $8,640/yr 13515A SE Rusk Rd 503-882-3322 micha-elschool.org
Portland Village School
Public Waldorf education that teaches respect and reverence by developing the head, heart, and hands of children from all backgrounds and cultures. Grades K-8, Tuition-free 7654 North Delaware Ave 503-445-0056 portlandvillageschool.org
PORTLAND VILLAGE SCHOOL
Portland Waldorf School
2300 SE Harrison St., Milwaukie 503-654-2200 portlandwaldorf.org
Swallowtail Waldorf School
SWALLOWTAIL WALDORF SCHOOL
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Outdoor education, music, art, movement and foreign language enhance the academic curriculum. Main campus in Cornelius, 26-acre Farm campus in Hillsboro. Grades PreK-8, $9,000-$14,000/yr 460 S. Heather St, Cornelius 503-846-0336 swallowtailschool.org
Reggio Emilia The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It is a pedagogy described as student-centered and constructivist that uses self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery through a self-guided curriculum. At its core is an assumption that children form their own personality during early years of development and are endowed with “a hundred languages”, through which they can express their ideas. The aim of the Reggio approach is to teach how to use these symbolic languages (e.g., painting, sculpting, drama) in everyday life. It was developed after World War II by pedagogist Loris Malaguzzi and parents in the villages around Reggio Emilia, Italy, and derives its name from the city.
Childswork Learning Center 10525 SE Cherry Blossom Dr. & 6161 SE Stark St 503-234-3611 childswork.org
Hillsboro Parent Preschool 168 NE 8th Ave, Hillsboro 503-648-4781 hillsboroparentpreschool.com
Wow & Flutterville Playgardens
They believe that children will save the world. Children have a limitless capacity for compassion, gratitude, and openmindness. Play-based, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia, Whole child. Ages 4-14, $1,030-$2,088/month Multiple locations 503-352-4983 wowandfluttervilleplaygardens.com
Xstream Learning Center 2033 NW Miller Rd 503-841-3445 xstreamlc.com
WOW & FLUTTERVILLE PLAYGARDENS
*Educational approach information from Wikipedia NW Kids Magazine | 13
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Steps to Take the Stress out of Back to School Shopping by CARMEN RIPLEY-WILSON
Without a plan, back-to-school shopping can be a stressful and overwhelming endeavor. Clothing is one of the biggest expenses parents face in back to school preparation, and it can be difficult to balance both kids’ preferences and budget. Strategizing your family’s approach to back-to-school shopping is the best way to breeze through it without breaking a sweat – while still ensuring everyone gets what they want. Here are 5 tips for saving time, money and stress while getting your kids ready for school to start.
Clean out the closet Going through your family’s closest and getting rid of out-grown items will create less clutter for you to stress over. Make the process of getting rid of old or unwanted items fun by having your kids join you in the process of purging by sharing memories of when an item was worn. Help your kids say good-bye to clothing and shoes that no longer fit them (hello Marie Kondo), and assess whether or not other items are ones they still enjoy and plan to wear again. As they grow, they get regular opportunities to revisit their style and interest. For those items to get rid of, make sure to give them a fresh wash and take them to your nearest children’s resale shop to earn money for trade or to put toward a brand-new item. 18 | NW Kids Magazine
Make a list and strategy Having a thought-out list is your best defense against being overwhelmed when faced with seemingly endless clothing options. Start with a list of essentials for fall and winter clothing and shoes. This may include things like a raincoat, rain boots, a winter coat, everyday school shoes, athletic or gym shoes, basic pants, shirts, dresses, socks and underwear. Then visit the extra things your child may want: Dress-up clothing for recitals, school functions or celebratory events. Have an idea of how many pants, jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses and shirts you will need for your kids. Some kids may be able to wear a pair of pants a few times before they need to be washed, and therefore maybe only need a few pairs to get to the next size.
Set a realistic budget Plan ahead and save yourself (and your wallet) some financial stress. When setting the budget, again it’s good to have a list of essentials as your main priority, such as daily clothes, shoes and rainwear. All families will have an idea of their own budget amount, which may be visited seasonally in order to get things that fit for each season and spread out cost. Resale shops are a great way to find many things that you both will love, as they are one-of-a-kind, unique and affordable. By shopping children’s resale, parents can get nearly all of their items for half the cost or less, so you can get even more of your essentials while still keeping your budget low.
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Best time to go If you like to avoid the crowds, then Sundays and earlier weekdays are ideal for shopping. In order to get all of your back-to-school shopping item needs met it’s important to start early. Most resale shops put new items on the floor daily. Stopping in regularly increases your chances of finding those things your kids need. Score a great deal on rain boots and a raincoat in the summer, or even the prior spring. Take 30 to 60 minutes every week four to six weeks prior to school starting to cruise through your favorite resale shops to get those essentials. You may have a better chance of finding their winter coats and rainwear in September, when those items are more readily available. Many shops also have end-of-winter and end-of-summer sales, which can be a great time to get the next size or two up for the following year; you will see huge savings, especially on winter coats, rainwear and snow gear.
What to buy new vs used Not everything needs to be bought brand new at retail price. Kids grow fast, so getting as much of their essentials as possible at resale shops is ideal for the pocketbook. However, if you aren’t able to find something you need and you need it right away, then going new is often necessary. Many children’s resale shops are selective in their quality and brand. However, as children get older (typically 10 and older), it can become more difficult to find those items on a time crunch. Most shops will have the clothing you need, but if you only have a few days to shop, it may be hard to find the shoes and coats you’re looking for. Consider buying a brand-new good pair of shoes and a solid warm and water-proof coat; though they might be the most expensive items on your list, consider how often your kids will wear them to make you feel better about your investment. Many children’s resale shops do carry items up to age 12 or 14; be sure to inquire about your shop’s available sizes and take advantage of these sections as they are less shopped and can have really great items. With these 5 steps, you’ll get all the styles your kids love, while keeping your sanity and savings intact. Best of luck to you and your kids this back-toschool season! *Also, remember to check websites and social media pages to be aware of any covid precautions or guidelines that may be in place! Carmen is the owner and founder of Beanstalk. She brings years of sustainable thinking and environmental awareness to the local clothing, toy and gear resale business. With her medical background, she truly cares about the well-being of families and their exposure to quality clothing, toys and gear. For more information, visit beanstalkpdx.com. Photos courtesy of Beanstalk 20 | NW Kids Magazine
Local Resale Stores Back On The Rack
Piccolina
Beanstalk
Pinwheels Resale
Cloverdilly Kids
Pipsqueak Resale Boutique
Cookie Pot Children’s Boutique
Pitter Patter Children’s Consignment
Hillsboro shopbackontherack.com Fremont & Montavilla locations beanstalkpdx.com Bethany Village cloverdillykids.com Gladstone cookie-pot-childrens-boutique. business.site
SE Portland piccolinaresale.com SE Portland pinwheelsresale.com Vancouver, WA pipsqueakresale.com
Newberg facebook.com/PitterPatterNewberg
Denim & Frills
Rock It! Resell
Hoot-n-Annie
Superkids Resale Events
Just “4” Kids
Sweetpea’s
Little Roo’s
Village Kids Supply Co.
Mommy & Me Resale
We Love Kids
Vancouver, WA denimandfrills.com SW Portland hoot-n-annie.com NE Portland facebook.com/Just-4-Kids Lake Oswego littlerooskids.com Vancouver mmresale.com
NW Portland (Cedar Mill) rockitresale.com September 29-Oct 2 (Gresham) superkidsresale.com SE Portland shopsweetpeas.com Multnomah Village facebook.com/villagekidssupply Milwaukie we-love-kids.edan.io
Once Upon a Child Vancouver onceuponachild.com
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Plan a Staycation in Your Backyard!
Your backyard, always a great for your health and well-being, can do even more for families this summer by being a place to hold a staycation. With the pandemic keeping more people closer to home, a backyard vacation can be a fun way to spend time together and build new memories as a family while spending time in green space. How do you excite your family about a backyard vacay and plan a fun time? Here are a few tips to help from the TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program.
Make a backyard staycation plan.
Put together a gentle schedule with a mixture of activities that your family will enjoy like dining, camping and games. Add a theme for the week, day or evening. A luau theme can be carried through with costumes, food and activities. A sports theme can have everyone in team jerseys and doing sports activities. Use creative names for meals and activities to spice things up. Even you don’t have a pool, children’s water play misters or sprinklers can help everyone cool off in the backyard (provided your area is not under drought conditions). 22 | NW Kids Magazine
Map where activities will occur in the yard.
A lawn area may be the site of a soccer game, bocce ball or croquet, but it can also double as an overnight camping zone for the kids in a family tent. The fire pit can be used for roasting hot dogs for lunch or s’mores at night. Time for crafts, potting plants, and eating can happen at a picnic or dining table.
Assess what you have and consider their creative uses.
Lounge chairs, sports and play equipment can be used for their original purposes, but they can also become part of an amazing obstacle course. The wheelbarrow used for gardening and yard work can become part of a family field day. The playset your children adore can become a breakfast spot or reading area.
Spruce up your yard.
Mow the lawn and trim the bushes. Tidy overgrown areas. Add flowering plants and rearrange planters for visual appeal. Put delicate flowers in pots and out of the way of foot traffic. Now may be the time to add a picnic table, a badminton net or croquet course, planters, patio, grill, fire pit, or pergola to your backyard.
Organize for fun.
Identify zones for different activities. Dining, lounging and reading may be best in shady spots. Sports, family yard games and tossing a ball to your dog may be
better on a lawn that can handle rough and tumble play. Hammocks, lawn chairs, swings, picnic blankets and air mattresses can all provide a place for people to sit down and cool off.
Include teachings about backyard wildlife and nature.
Ask kids to take an inventory of the many birds, butterflies and other wildlife they see, looking up their species and background. Put up a bird feeder or plant a butterfly garden, as well as potted flowering plants to support birds and pollinators. Add wind chimes, rain collectors, or backyard thermometers and wind gauges to help kids observe science in action. (Visit TurfMutt.com for a variety of backyard lesson plans that are free and STEM-aligned.)
Design new games incorporating your green space.
Hold a nature scavenger hunt that’s fun, educational and tests your family’s observational skills. Create a “drive-thru” movie theater by bringing laptops outside or a projector to show them on a sheet hung outside.
Build anticipation.
Talk about your backyard vacation in advance with your family and review your plans. Count down the days to build excitement about spending time together in your family yard.
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” Learn more at turfmutt.com. NW Kids Magazine | 23