M o n t e s s o r i    S o f t w a r e  .  c o m 











s o f t w a r e  @  M a r t e l l  P a l o  A l t o . o r g


unlock the keys to your child's future





Form and pattern recognition are key to early cognitive development.

Although it may look simple (and maybe too simple) to adults,
Montessori Software's precise presentation of forms,
beginning with the circle, triangle, and square,
creates neural pathways quickly, deeply and in optimal sequence.

Not only is this powerful for brightening your child's future, but
you'll be amazed at how enthralled your child becomes
from the very moment of engagement with Montessori Software.



children are quietly entertained while learning





Children appreciate the process of learning through Montessori.

over 85% of learning is visual





Children of different ages benefit through learning together through Montessori.



focus is held best by graphics







Montessori Software was developed for
infants through preschoolers,
including individuals and classrooms.



" Children should learn to use machines habitually as part of their education. "


–    Dr. Maria Montessori    –



Worldwide, 100 million children are born each year. Their parents are increasingly concerned about providing them with a quality education that will enable them to compete effectively and to live rewarding lives. This concern is beginning at earlier and earlier ages for the children.

Montessori Software melds the power of the personal computer with the methods of the pioneering Italian educator Maria Montessori to create unique learning courseware which includes infants. For over a century, Montessori education has demonstrated benefits for very young children, those often considered too young to be taught by other methods. Now, for the first time, this approach has been combined with the advantages of the computer.

One of the most important developmental milestones for preschoolers is learning to recognize and manipulate visual shapes. Montessori Software focuses on this aspect of early childhood education by creating a series of games using animation and captivating graphics to explore concepts in plane geometry, such as showing the composition and division of circles, triangles, and squares, all in an easy and enjoyable way. The key to the method's success is that the games are stress-free, exploratory, and child-directed.

The founder of Montessori Software, Ms. Danielle Martell, is both a Montessori educator and a computer scientist. She has designed two dozen sets of learning games which preserve the authentic Montessori method. Though they were conceived with the home computer in mind, the lessons can be adapted to the Internet, DVD, cable TV, screen savers, or console-based toys.

Because Montessori Software relies exclusively on graphics to convey mathematical concepts, its games will be instructive for children of any culture or language. We expect that all of the games will find an international market. Of the 100 million new children born each year, 20 million of them are born into middle and upper income families. While Montessori Software will initially serve this market segment, our aim is to eventually provide product affordable to any family in keeping with the Montessori philosophy.













we welcome you to  c o n t r i b u t e  to our work and

collaborate with us to further this vision


s o f t w a r e  @  M a r t e l l  P a l o  A l t o . o r g


–     SPECIAL  THANKS     –

for supporting and affirming the value of
Montessori Software



Howard Pearlmutter

-innovator and visionary-

for offering technical advice



Monte Kennison

-board of directors, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Amsterdam-
-my classmate in the "1973: AMI Training of Montessori Teachers Program"

for his enthusiastic encouragement during "the early years"



Will Wright

-co-founder of MAXIS-
-industry leader for computer game sales-
-Montessori student through sixth grade-

for extending a promotion at Xerox PARC and
possessing ongoing alliance with Montessori in his life



David C. Smith, PhD

-"The GUI Guy" and creator of computer interface icons-

for offering his time and counsel, and
recognizing our kindred spirit in implementing graphics



Bill Atkinson

-1970's Apple fellow and Hypercard creator-

for giving advice, critique and praise



Professor Patrick C. Suppes

-educator, mathematician, philosopher-
-recipient of the US National Medal of Science-
-founder of Computer Curriculum Corporation-

for being influential and
meeting me with guidance and assurance



Mario Zanotti

-electrical engineer, mathematician, philosopher-

for fostering my academic growth



Steve Wozniak

-co-founder of Apple-

for extending his hand to children,
being inspiring, generous, and
making himself accessible to me



Lee Felsenstein

-inventor of the Osbourne 1, the first mass-produced portable computer-

for his introductions and writing a promotional article for
the online newsletter "OLPC News"



Cathy Lego

-venture capitalist-

for being direct and sharing her "open-door" policy



Professor John Sperling

-founder of University of Phoenix-

for extending his confidence and
endorsing my capabilities



Katie Povejsil

-higher education market consultant-

for extending patience and offering conformation



Professor David M. Maurice

-physiologist and medical researcher-

for tutoring me in the relationship between neuro-physiology and learning



Daniel Kottke

-Apple's "first employee"-

for making introductions and extending hospitality



Allan Lundell

-computer scientist and documentary filmmaker-

for providing me the opportunity to
record my entrepreneurial wish for Montessori Software in
his video documentary



Dennis "galen" Mitrzyk

-Palo Alto activist and marketing consultant"-

for volunteering to
be filmed interviewing me to
generate awareness for
the availability of Montessori education through software



Professor Richard L. Marcuson

-mathematician and 1950's "Quiz Kid"-

for supplying technical editing of mathematical content



John K. Poitras

-venture capitalist-

Professor Paul A. Martin

-computer scientist and mathematician-

James L. McDonald

-computer scientist-

for sharing my vision, and
extending faith and encouragement during "the early years"



John C. Nash

-mathematician and software engineer-

North E. West

-museum gallery director-

for offering undiminished faith and benevolence



Photograph Contributors

 -parents of child starlettes-

for volunteering their children for me to photograph
describing Montessori Software during use



Thomas Howell

-electrical engineer and inventor-

for giving insights to prevent the interference of others on my work



Attorneys

 -Richard C. DeGolia, lld, high-technology attorney-
 -Polly A. Dinkel, lld, high-technology attorney-
 -Professor Chester C. Seabury, lld, mathematician and bank attorney-

 for providing validation and legal counsel



 –     SPECIAL  THANKS     –

for prevalence in my formative years



Professor Patrick C. Suppes

-educator, mathematician, philosopher-
-recipient of the US National Medal of Science-
-founder of Computer Curriculum Corporation-

for recruiting me,
as one of his first students, into
the SMSG mathematics program for gifted preteens and
inviting me into
the Institute for Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences (IMSSS) at Stanford,
which introduced me to
quality computer-aided-instruction (CAI) and
a myriad of accomplished academic role-models



Andrew "Andy" Weil, MD

-motivational speaker and natural health pioneer-

for extending graciousness during stays as my house-guest,
providing introductions to holistic medicine,
giving attention to my well-being and spiritual coaching

Andy taught me to expect miracles



my Professors and Classmates

-participants in the "1967–1969: Tutorials in Letters and Science Program"-

for bringing out the best in me through
comradery, example,
discipline and rigorous work
instilling high-expectations of myself



Professor David Zack

-Renaissance man-

for sharing creative open-mindedness and
building lasting confidence into my work



 –     SPECIAL  THANKS     –

for advancement of the Montessori Method



Lena Wikramaratne

-my instructor in the "1973: Montessori AMI Teacher's Training Program"-
-a student who had studied under Dr. Maria Montessori herself-

for being an example and
exercising patience with us questioning Americans



The Montessori Family

for continuing to support the inspiration that
gave rise to Maria Montessori's life passion



Professor Renilda Montessori

-president of Association Montessori Internationale (AMI),  Amsterdam-

for watching over
and carrying on her grandmother's work



&



Maria Montessori, MD

1870–1952

-creator of the Montessori Method-
-twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize-
-founder of Association Montessori Internationale (AMI),  Amsterdam-

for being dedicated to and
showing concern for
the welfare and education of all children and
never losing sight of her purpose










we welcome you to  c o n t r i b u t e  to our work and

collaborate with us to further this vision


s o f t w a r e  @  M a r t e l l  P a l o  A l t o . o r g