I have had two play stands with arches in my Kindergarten classroom for the past year and I continue to be impressed with their versatility. I placed them in what used to be my “house corner”. Prior to the play arches, this area of my classroom had a traditional play...
On September 30th 2016 the Forest Stewardship Council invites you to participate in FSC® Friday, a global celebration of responsible forestry. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate responsible forestry in Canada and worldwide. At Natural Pod all of our furniture...
I recently decided to add a loft to my small early learning space. A loft is a significant purchase for me, not only financially, but also in the use of space. This is a fairly permanent installment, a major commitment. So what led me here? The children that I teach...
When we refer to our community we’re talking about you: all the educators, administrators, parents, architects and designers who pull together to make the experience of learning better for children. Because that’s what is at the heart of this work; creating and...
When you give children new items to interact with, it's such a joy to witness all the kinds of imaginative games and uses for them they create. So when it came time to try out our new Halfmoon bundles, that's what we did. These are items made of 100% cotton and linen...
When it comes to being an authority on transforming learning spaces you may have heard of Dr. Robert Dillon. He's worked with many teachers on how to make their classrooms more student-centred and learner friendly and has co-authored a book about the subject: The...
Why when there’s so much focus on the benefits to children of being outside in a natural environment, is there so little focus on extending those same benefits within classrooms? We recently visited a school that had a beautiful amazing outdoor space with trees and...
At a time of dynamic shifts in learning environments, tight timelines, and limited budgets, educators are facing the challenge of realizing their lofty goals for both education and sustainability. Often, expedience compromises excellence, leaving educators...
Imagine a space where every corner invites curiosity, every level sparks adventure, and each step is a pathway to boundless imagination. Natural Pod’s Wonder lofts aren’t just structures — they’re gateways to exploration, places where children’s creativity takes...
Our Create and Share Your Invitation to Play ~ Win a Free $5000 Classroom Giveaway Contest is just a few days away from closing. You still have time to vote for your favourite Invitation to Play! - There are two ways to have your vote counted. The five final entries...
Take a moment to pause and look at the tree outside your window. Notice its expansive branches, the delicate sway of its leaves, and the texture of its bark. In the presence of nature, we often feel a deep sense of calm and connection to the world around us. As...
As another full school year comes to a close, it's a perfect time of year to begin preparing for a smooth restart for next year. Taking the time now, while your ideas from a year of learning and education are still fresh in your mind, and before the rush to restart...
At a time of dynamic shifts in learning environments, tight timelines, and limited budgets, educators are facing the challenge of realizing their lofty goals for both education and sustainability. Often, expedience compromises excellence, leaving educators...
At Natural Pod, we believe that sustainability is more than just certifications and labels. It's about continuously evaluating our choices to ensure they are the best for both people and the planet. With this ethos in mind, we are excited to share the remarkable story...
When it comes to investing in the learning spaces, we envision not only for future generations but also for the near future. As the long, sweet, warm days of summer swiftly approach, with the dreaded 'back-to-reality' whiplash of September hot on their heels (or flip...
Consider this for a moment: when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. How might your learning space change when young learners have the opportunity to see the space from an elevated view? Or inches from the ground? Is it possible that...
Are you an educator who feels hesitant to rearrange your learning space due to fear of damaging your furniture or surrounding space? It's a common concern, but with well-built, modular furniture, you can create different learning spaces throughout the year without...
Creating a space that brings storytelling, idea sharing and group collaboration together provides opportunities for rich social interactions. Sometimes opportunities present themselves by rethinking the configuration of the learning environment. With this in mind, we...
The Natural Pod team believes we can create better learning environments for all ages, while being deeply committed to people and the planet. There is great work to be done to be responsible stewards of our environment throughout our business, leading to a positive...
When it comes to creating great learning environments with the intention of creating great learning outcomes, who gets to decide how to create them, and by what means? Welcome, stakeholders! We mostly know what ‘stakeholders’ means, but the term doesn’t sound very...