Creativity belongs in classrooms.

Find ideas, inspiration, and joy-filled learning through open-ended art and play experiences that nurture social emotional development, foster essential critical thinking skills, spark innovation, and develop creative confidence.

We inspire transformation.

Join us on Feb 4th for "Art is Play and Play is Learning"

Join us on Feb 4th for "Art is Play and Play is Learning"

  • This course is a must for any educator (especially pre-service teachers), so that they can already be set up for success rather than learning the traditional worksheet model that we see in a lot of schools right now, and then having to learn a new way to teach down the line. Creativity, choice, and freedom is something that all children deserve 💛

    Rachel S., ECE, Materials Matter Course customer

  • Bar & Shannon, you two have been striking chords of mine for years. You gals are better than caffeine. You remind me of all the values that I believe are so important to childhood development. It's energy that come from the YES when you feel in tune with others. Energy that comes from feeling excited to try something new... that lights you up inside. Thank you for helping me prioritize and preserve that creative and sacred play space for the young (and the rest of us so we can stay young at heart).

    Laura A., ECE , Materials Matter Course customer

  • I've sent this course to the preschool director at my child's school because this is EXACTLY what I want my child to be doing there 💕

    Rachel W., arts educator and parent

  • You guys were right! Children do not need to be taught creativity! Despite my apprehension, my child took to the "pile of cardboard" immediately. She knew exactly what she wanted to do with the materials and how to do it. All I had to do was sit back and sip my tea!

    Angeline, SLP and parent

  • I have been following you for years. This is your best work ever. I am using this as a home art preschool curriculum for my daughter. I love the joy this has brought into my home not just for my preschooler, but for my big kids too.

    Angela, parent, Materials Matter Course customer

  • I love that it is open-ended and that, as a less experienced person, I can start out with expert advice! It is much more flexible than other products/curriculum. I don't run an art class OR an early childhood class, but it fits so well! This course helps me so much with the language and visuals to use with parents in our play space and volunteers and staff that are helping care for our space so they get a sense for what we are going for.

    Audrey, owner of a Play Space, Materials Matter Course customer

  • I truly appreciate the depth & detail! The pros & cons of each material, how best to work w/them, store them, cleanup after, unexpected uses, things that work well together. I also appreciate how supportive and responsive you both are!

    Lori, ECE, Materials Matter Course Customer

  • I LOVE EVERYTHING!! The ideas, the books, one thing to collect and work with for the month... I love your work and recommend it to literally everyone I know.

    KC, Arts educator, Materials Matter Course Customer

  • What do I love most about this course? The visual inspiration mixed with practical hands on ideas and approaches I can use everyday in the classroom. I also can't wait to get that cardboard cutter!

    Jasmine, ECE, Materials Matter Course customer

  • I love the videos and seeing how to use the materials. I also love how you started off with the simplest art material paper and then built upon that. The order of these months have been perfect: loose parts during the holidays (great gift ideas) and cardboard after the holidays.

    Veronique, parent, ECE, Materials Matter Course customer

Find Flow

Flow is different than focus or concentration. There is a joyfulness that comes from being fully immersed in a creative experience. Learn to create an environment where children can deeply engage with materials, problem-solve, test out their own theories, and trust themselves.

Promote Agency

Children know when they are in a space of agency because they feel supported in their choices and safe to be who they are. We’ll show you how to honor the ideas and experiences of each child so they can become confident decision-makers, innovators, and problem solvers.

Practice Flexibility

Shift your perspective about what is possible in working with young children. When educators adopt a more flexible mindset about classroom environment, approaches to materials, and responses to creative experiences, the space becomes a joyful, innovative, inclusive one for all.

WORKSHOPS: Professional Learning Series

A 5-part series of virtual workshops during the 2024-25 school year that explore materials, environments, mindsets, and systems, all rooted in our unique approach to creative learning. We’ll show you that this work is not only possible but essential in any and every setting. Live workshops will be recorded and available with unlimited access.

ONLINE COURSE: Materials Matter

Are you ready to embrace more process-focused creative experiences, see children as capable and full of good ideas, and learn how materials are the path to bringing creativity, innovation, and joy into your classroom? Then it’s time to enroll in Materials Matter!

ART & PLAY GUIDES

Our art and play curriculum guides are designed to be used flexibly with young preschoolers through the primary grades. They center on broad themes that are connected by simple, easy-to-prep and clean-up invitations, extensive picture book guides, as well as academic and social emotional curricular connections. Each guide provides a month's worth of meaningful, creative explorations. Year-long bundles are also available.

SCHOOLS & GROUPS

Are you interested in purchasing our course, workshops, or curriculum guides for your school? We receive feedback every day from educators that our programs integrate easily into any established curriculum. We’re on a mission to support educators and school administrators in honoring the creativity of all learners. Find out more about our Title 1 and bulk rates.

A LOOK INSIDE

Do you want to nurture creative confidence in your classroom? Download our FREE 10-page mini playbook and get a taste of our Materials Matters course, with 14 open-ended ideas to try.