Support The Ben Samuels Children's Center
As a community of parents, caregivers, and educators, we are so proud of what the Ben Samuels Children's Center at Montclair State University has represented for 20 years. It's a nurturing, inclusive place where children of all abilities, backgrounds, and family structures can learn, play, and grow together, and where families feel genuinely supported. At the same time, the Center helps shape the next generation of early childhood professionals by giving university students hands-on experience in what caring, high-quality, inclusive education looks like—enriching the community our children enjoy every day.
In support of this dual mission, we have built a community where:
Children with varying abilities, needs, cultures, ethnicities, means, and family structures receive developmentally appropriate care, curriculum, and support—and where families, staff, and university students come to genuinely value and celebrate that diversity of thought, perspective, and experience.
Families are provided with resources, guidance, and ongoing support as they navigate the care and education of their children.
University students from a wide range of academic programs gain hands-on experience in best practices in early childhood education and development, learning side-by-side with our transdisciplinary team of therapeutic professionals, educators, children, and families.
Center faculty and students engage in thoughtful observation, inquiry, and reflection in child development, early education, inclusive learning, and related fields.
Our Next Step: A $10,000 Fundraising Goal to Enrich Play, Learning, and Inclusion
To enhance our learning environment and provide a more robust curricular experience, we are launching a fundraising initiative to raise $10,000 for three exciting additions to our Center:
- A New Climbing Structure: A safe, developmentally appropriate climbing structure gives children opportunities to build gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and confidence. Physical challenges like climbing support healthy risk-taking, strengthen muscles, and help children learn how to navigate space—all essential components of early childhood development.
- A Portable Sound System and Speakers: High-quality sound equipment allows us to enhance music, movement, and drama activities, host family events like our annual end of year Summer Celebration, and summer “graduation” ceremonies. The system will also support inclusive communication and create engaging group learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Music-based activities boost language development, rhythm, self-expression, and social connection—key developmental areas for young learners.
- A Sensory Obstacle Course: A sensory-based obstacle course offers children hands-on opportunities to explore touch, movement, spatial awareness, coordination, balance, problem-solving, and self regulation. Sensory play supports cognitive growth and emotional development, and it is especially valuable for children with sensory processing needs.
Join Us in Growing Our Community!
We invite you to partner with us in strengthening the experiences we can offer every child and family who walks through our doors. Your contribution—no matter the size—directly enriches the daily learning environment for our children and supports the future educators who train with us. Together, we can build spaces that inspire curiosity, confidence, connection, and joy. Together we are kind, safe, learners!
Help us reach our $10,000 goal and continue fostering a nurturing environment where diversity is celebrated and every child belongs. Thank you for being an essential part of our community.
All gifts made by Wednesday, December 3 will count towards Montclair State University's Giving Tuesday campaign. All gifts are fully tax-deductible and, if made by December 31, can be counted in your 2025 tax deductions.
Photo Credit to Lindsey Hresko-Staab, Ed.D