Last week our centre flooded and we needed to relocate. This week the children have returned and are spending some time orienting to their new space. Most of the materials and furniture are familiar, though the space and the set up are new. The flow of this new space...
Natural Pod first heard from Marlina Oliveira, Head of School in early 2012 wanting to learn more about our natural play workshops. When we connected, we quickly learned that we have very similar values around education environments and beautiful design. Marlina...
It has been several months since a new child joined our group and I have been curious about what kind of impact a change like this might have on the children’s play and the way that they interact within and around the loft. Would there be a shift in their play or...
In our best moments, we sit back and watch how the learning spaces we help create inspire and delight. Like the joy of watching our own children play, while we sometimes remembering those times of fun and learning in our own young lives. This is at the heart of our...
Things have felt, well perhaps a little scattered this month, with some children moving on to kindergarten and several others going on extended summer holidays. With the small group of children remaining there has been the lovely gift of space and time to go a little...
L. (almost six years old) stood proudly at the top of the loft stairs, calling to me, “Megan! Megan! I have something to show you! This is my work.” As I moved closer, I asked, “What kind of job do you do?” “I count for people.” L. replied with certainty and...
When one of the children’s parents had a surgery, which included a short hospital stay and a few doctor’s appointments, it was only natural that this experience made it’s way into the children’s play. They began to play ‘doctor’, acting out and working through some...
M. walked towards me with a light blue play silk draped over her head. “Where M.” she stated, “Where M!” I echoed her, “Where’s M? Where is she?” She slid the silk across her face and when it fell and our eyes met, she squealed and laughed. “Again!” she demanded. M....
Megan Fraser shares the third story in her series about the introduction of a Natural Pod Play Loft into her child care space. Enjoy! The advent of Spring and the warmer weather have been beckoning to us to linger outside just a little bit longer (we really only come...
Megan Fraser shares her story and photo essay about the arrival of her new Natural Pod Loft and how the children in her centre are enjoying the new addition to their space. We have been listening to and noticing birds a lot on our walks lately, woodpeckers, crows,...