The Power of Materials in Early Learning: Why Quality Matters
The materials we offer young children are far more than “things”—they are the very tools through which children think, communicate, learn, and make sense of their world.
Long before children develop words, they express themselves through play. As they explore, combine, and transform materials—and if we’re paying close attention—they reveal their ideas, questions, and understanding. In this way, materials become a form of language.
That’s why the quality of what we offer matters deeply. Thoughtfully chosen materials nurture imagination, autonomy, problem-solving, and exploration.
Not All Materials Are Created Equal
There’s a reason a child is often far more interested in an empty cardboard box than in the toy inside it. That box can become a castle, a plane, a spaceship, or something entirely unexpected. Meanwhile, the toy—let’s say a toy car—will be a toy car all day long. While useful in some contexts, it offers far fewer possibilities for transformation or meaning-making.
So, not all materials are created equal. Open-ended materials—those that invite many different uses—encourage flexible thinking and creativity. In contrast, materials that are fixed or prescriptive tend to limit children’s ideas, turning them into passive users rather than active creators.
Closed-ended materials have their place—but open-ended ones should take priority. They offer deeper opportunities for creativity and exploration. All choices should be intentional, based on the child’s interests and learning goals.
What Makes a Material Meaningful?
Open-endedness is a key quality—but it’s not the only one. To truly support meaningful play and exploration, materials should also be:
Durable — able to withstand repeated and evolving use
Sensory-rich — engaging the senses through texture, weight, color, and more
Diverse — providing a wide range of possibilities that spark curiosity and challenge different skills
Responsive — adaptable to children’s changing ideas, interests, and developmental needs
Culturally reflective and inclusive — representing the languages spoken, the traditions of the community, and the diversity of the wider world, helping all children feel seen and valued
These qualities make materials more inviting and adaptable, encouraging children to return to them again and again.
How We Offer Materials Matters
It’s not just what we offer children—it’s how we offer it. The way materials are presented communicates our image of the child. Do we see children as capable, creative, and competent? Or as fragile beings who require constant direction, approval, and permission?
How we offer materials directly shapes the learning environment and a child’s experience within it. It sends powerful messages—about trust, autonomy, and what we believe children are capable of.
What’s available and how it’s arranged influences how a space feels, how it functions, and how children interact with it.
When materials are thoughtfully presented—accessible, aesthetically inviting, and intentionally placed—we’re saying: You are trusted. You are capable. In turn, children feel invited to explore, make choices, and lead their own learning. These experiences lay the foundation for agency and independence.
Over time, children also form relationships with materials. Through repeated encounters, they become fluent in a material’s possibilities—returning with new ideas, testing their thinking, and transforming it in creative ways. This kind of ongoing engagement is how deep learning takes root. Repetition isn’t boring—it’s essential.
Reflective Questions for Educators and Parents
As educators and parents, we can ask ourselves:
What am I offering, for whom, and why am I offering it?
What possibilities does it hold? Can it be transformed? Does it deepen exploration?
Materials as Partners in Learning
Materials are not just tools for keeping children busy. They are powerful participants in the learning process. When we choose them with care and intention, we give children the means to express themselves, build knowledge, and connect more deeply with the world around them.
