The Materials Center houses a large collection of natural objects and "found" materials. Gathered and donated by New York City residents and businesses, these materials are objects from our everyday lives that are often discarded but could be repurposed or transformed into something new, encouraging creativity, problem solving, and action. Teachers from Beginnings have open access to the center and incorporate these materials into their curriculum and classrooms on a daily basis. This inspiring resource allows teachers to respond to the ever-evolving interests of the children with a depth that we treasure. Every year we offer workshops to Beginnings families that focus on how to use these materials to enhance and enrich children's learning, creative expression, and symbolic development. We also offer materials at low- or no-cost to outside families and schools through the non-profit Teaching Beyond the Square.
