Our Story

Montessori Panda was born at a kitchen table, during quiet moments between naps, lessons, and snacks.

It began with Julia Palmarola and her daughter. Julia is a university graduate and self-taught Montessori homeschooling mother, who set out in 2011 to give her eldest daughter a thoughtful, hands-on Montessori education at home. With a baby in one arm and a notebook in the other, she began jotting down ideas: simple activities, budget-friendly alternatives, and the core principles that made Montessori so powerful. But there was something missing.

Most books were either too theoretical, too commercial, or too scattered. Nothing seemed to combine clear Montessori philosophy with real-life, doable activities for babies to six-year-olds, especially for families without unlimited time or budgets (like hers!).

So Julia built the resource she wished she’d had: a practical Montessori manual for everyday families. That first book (The Practical Guide to the Montessori Method) became the foundation of Montessori Panda — a growing collection of activity books, resources, and now printables, all designed to help children thrive in their own environment.

But there was still one big challenge: learning to read the Montessori way at home. Montessori reading materials — movable alphabets, sandpaper letters, pink and blue series — were expensive and hard to use without formal training. Julia saw that most “Montessori” workbooks on the market were either simple tracing books or used the word Montessori only as decoration.

So she created the Montessori Reading Workbook — a full, structured, authentic reading program based on true Montessori principles, but adapted for home use. It included hands-on exercises, phonetic materials, cutouts, and games — without the cost or overwhelm. Families could now support early literacy the Montessori way, from their own kitchen tables. After the success of that workbook, which has been used by thousands of families now, came others to learn Math, Spanish or German.

In 2024, the little panda joined the adventure. She wanted a warm, child-friendly symbol of curiosity, learning, and calm persistence.

Montessori Panda is now a global home for families who believe in respectful parenting, meaningful learning, and raising capable, confident children with love.

We hoped to create something which wasn’t just a brand. It’s a philosophy made practical:

Montessori for every home.