Why are REAL materials so important?

Children are drawn by things around them. It is important to allow children to explore these things or materials in safe ways. Children want to explore, experiment, and wonder with materials to learn about the world around them. Providing REAL materials or objects that are found or are part of nature give children authentic experiences. REAL materials are water, sand, paint, paper, string, rocks, wire, fabric, wood, yarn, clay, plants, leather, cardboard, and so on.

By using materials, children learn the properties of these materials. When children work with water, they learn that water can drip, dribble, flow or gush out of a container. When children work with wood, they learn wood comes from trees, it can be hard or soft, it can be rough or smooth, and they can create castles, forts, and houses by placing wooden blocks in interesting combinations.

Why give children cheap plastic (man-made or ‘kiddy’ versions) of a material when they are drawn to the real thing?

In a Reggio-Inspired environment materials are carefully selected for their potential to enhance learning and discovery. We purposefully pick open-ended materials, or materials with endless possibilities and materials that can be anything a child imagines. And we observe how children interact with materials so we can guide meaningful discussion with them. These discussions lead to authentic creations the children produce.