About us
Montessori Medic was founded in 2019 by Mel Arnost, a Queensland mum and advocate for her community and those in need far and wide. Inspired by the Montessori style of learning, Mel designed a Montessori-aligned Doctor Bag for her daughter’s 3rd birthday after she couldn’t find what she wanted on the old intwerweb!
In her time as the owner of Montessori Medic, she nurtured her passion for politics and being a force for good, and with this drive to do more, decided to find a new owner for her third baby.
In walked me, Rachael Bridgland in 2023! I was looking for a creative outlet in the form of a business that I could become passionate about and curate some creative joy after some challenging times as a single mum to a smart, gorgeous boy! I knew the Montessori Medic brand and the quality of the product through being a friend of Mel’s and watching her shine. When I approached Mel to be a wholesaler, Mel said “actually I think I’m selling the business” and I said….. Sell it to me please!!!
And so here we are. I pay homage to the foundations of Montessori Medic, I will carry on the legacy of helping others as well as my own family – inspired by Mel, and I will grow the brand and the business so that I can continue to pay it forward to those around me and have some fun along the way.
I hope you’ll join me on the journey.
Why Montessori Medic Bags?
Montessori education places great emphasis on connecting children with the real world around them.
Our Montessori Medic Doctor Bags are designed to be realistic. We focus on hands-on, child-led learning, where your child is free to explore and discover the world around them at their own pace.
Our Doctor Bags are a true representation of the Gladstone, with real medical accessories so that your little learner can connect with in a purposeful way.
We have also had many testimonials that our bags have helped and supported parents and children with medica refusal, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and other neurodiversity. It encourages children and caregivers to role play going to the doctor, dentist or other health professional to minimise the unknown and create a social story and visual cues.
What is Montessori Education?
Montessori is a unique method of educating children by allowing them to explore and discover at their own pace. It is based upon a deep understanding of child development.
The Montessori approach was developed Dr Maria Montessori, a physician, anthropologist and pedagogue, through intense scientific observation of children from many ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds from birth to maturity.
What are Montessori toys?
Montessori toys are based in reality, rather than fantasy worlds, allowing children to explore and make sense of the world they live in and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
By using simple, natural materials, Montessori education is able to promote a sense of calm and focus in children, helping them to develop concentration and attention to detail. The simplicity of the materials also allows children to focus on the specific skill being taught, without distraction from unnecessary decoration or embellishment.
Montessori toys are carefully crafted to be both simple and engaging, providing children with a range of experiences that help to develop their skills and abilities.