About Us
Welcome to Montessori Beautiful, where practicality, quality, and beauty come together to create exceptional children's aprons and placemats, all proudly made in the USA. Our story began with a Claudia, an AMI Montessori 0-6 Guide and mother. In 2014, she was frustrated she couldn't find the perfect aprons and placemats for her classroom. She wanted something sturdy, durable, waterproof, and beautiful, so she decided to try and make them herself.
Inspired by the belief that every child deserves beautiful materials, Montessori Beautiful was born. Our products are the result of a quest to combine practicality and aesthetics.
In 2016, the first Montessori Beautiful products were shared with colleagues and friends within the Montessori community. The demand grew, and today, we are delighted to extend our offerings to Montessorians across the USA.
The first step in creating the perfect products involved finding the perfect fabric. In the garment district in Los Angeles, we discovered the a wonderful vinyl material, also known as faux leather. This vinyl was perfect for Montessori environments, being waterproof, easily wipeable, sturdy, and available in vibrant colors. It's durable, machine washable, and reusable—it lasts a long time, even in classroom environments.
Montessori Beautiful is not just a business; it's a passion. Aprons and placemats hold a special place in Montessori environments. They symbolize a child's readiness and enthusiasm for hands-on activities. These products play a crucial role in empowering children and fostering a love for learning and independence.
Our work is not only a business but a dream come true for our family. We take pride in producing quality resources for teachers and parents who aspire to create attractive and engaging learning environments for children. Our home is often filled with an array of colorful aprons and placemats that never fail to bring smiles. Our four-year-old daughter takes pride in helping us prepare packages—she understands that she is helping us share our products with children in so many places!
Montessori Beautiful is a labor of love, and we are thrilled to share our story and our beautiful products with you. Thank you for being part of our journey!
About Montessori Beautiful Products
What are the aprons and placemats made of?
Our aprons and placemats are made of a thick, long lasting vinyl that is also called "faux leather." The front is textured vinyl and the back is soft, felted cloth. This sturdy material is perfect for creative play and Montessori classroom activities:
- It's waterproof, and water droplets slide right off.
- Paint, food, and grime are so easily wiped off that children can manage the cleanup on their own.
- The material and patterns were chosen because they allow children to roll up the aprons and placemats when it's time to be done. The rolling process strengthens children's wrist muscles and pincer grasp.
How do you wash your aprons and placemats?
We recommend wiping the aprons and placemats after every use with a damp cloth or sponge. Gentle cleansers, dish soap, and laundry detergent are great for getting out stains. However, you can also toss the aprons and placemats in the washing machine (cold water only). Lay flat or hang to dry; do not tumble dry. If the trim becomes stained, use a non-chlorine stain remover, then wash and air dry as usual.
Why do you call your company "Montessori Beautiful?"
Our founder is an AMI-certified Montessori instructor who has worked with children age 3-6 for many years.
In Montessori classrooms, every item is designed to be useful and beautiful to a child. Materials are high quality and long-lasting. Moving parts are just tricky enough to present an age-appropriate challenge, while still being manageable. Through mastery of the classroom materials, the child develops physical coordination and a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence.
Montessori Beautiful was born when our founder was looking for new aprons and placemats for her own classroom, but she couldn't find anything that matched the quality she expected for her students' use.
Her final designs are beautiful to look at and to use, since there is nothing more beautiful than a child who is proud of their new accomplishment.
Click here to read more about our founder.
Where are your products made?
Our products are handmade in the USA of imported materials.
Montessori Beautiful is a Minority- and Woman-Owned Business (MWOB).
How long do the aprons and placemats last?
With proper care, our aprons and placemats should last for years. As long as you do not subject the material to heat or harsh cleaning chemicals, it should look new for hundreds of uses. If the trim becomes stained, use a chlorine-free stain remover on the stained area.
Which size apron will fit my child?
Our design is flexible, but the toddler apron generally fits children age 1-3, and the child's apron fits ages 3-6. If in doubt, order up (to allow for growth). Note that the child's apron is a little more complicated to roll and put away (this is intentional, since the action is a good way to develop hand-eye coordination and wrist strength).
