David Pettigrew is an iPhone application developer and a Montessori parent. We interviewed David to find out what prompted him to create Sandpaper Letters as an iPhone app.

Q: Why did you choose to develop a Montessori focused iPhone application?

A: I know Montessori is a great educational method because both of my children have attended Montessori schools and found it really engaging.

Q: When did you come up with the idea to develop the app?

A: Earlier this year, I was looking in the App Store for a good Montessori based application to share with my six years old daughter. I was surprised to see that there weren’t any available. A short time later, I was invited to participate in the Corvallis Startup Weekend. When I mentioned the idea of a Montessori based iPhone application, I received lots of interest from the other participants, several of whom were also Montessori parents. Based on the positive feedback, I decided to develop this application.

Q: How will this product enhance the learning experience of your children?

A: It will definitely build on their experience at Montessori schools. It will help my daughter learn how to read and write.

Q: How does the future look like for Montessori Apps?

A: There are so many learning materials available in Montessori classrooms and all those can be translated into opportunities for Montessori Applications. With the iPhone market being expected to grow from $4.66 billion in 2009 to $16.60 billion in 2013, and with us developing new Montessori Apps, I am definitely optimistic about our mission to make this iPhone and iPod Touch software available to childrens and their parents.

Q: The pleasant class atmosphere is a key element in the Montessori learning experience. How do you address this?

A: The pleasant environment is indeed a key element and this is one of the reasons I wanted to be able to use the home environment and the moments I spend with my children as an opportunity to actively engage in their development.

Q: What are the skills that make your team successful?

A: Even though it sounds like a cliché, I really think that it’s the diversity that makes us stand out as a team. A key element is also the fact that two of our team members have strong connections with Montessori schools – Matt, my website designer ’s wife is a Montessori professor and I am a ‘Montessori parent’.