Originally written by Michelle Carpenter. Updated by Natural Pod on March 30, 2026. A child walks into a classroom and within seconds, they start making sense of the space. The light. The colors. The level of visual noise on the walls. Before a single lesson begins,...
Designing a learning environment means making decisions for children you haven't met yet, at ages they haven't reached, in a room that will be used in ways you can't fully anticipate. That weight is real — and educators carry it every time they choose furniture. One...
Designing an inspiring learning environment today is a complex, rewarding process that requires careful thought and collaboration. At Natural Pod, we approach each project with a focus on creating spaces that are functional, cohesive, and promote wellbeing for...
At Natural Pod, the belief in creating learning environments that nurture the whole child—fostering well-being, movement, and a deep connection to the natural world—is central. This ethos has led to a deepening collaboration with Sloflo World, a fellow Canadian...
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...
Learning during a pandemic has spotlighted concepts that have always been involved in some education conversations, but now seem to dominate the media, talk in the community and future planning. These concepts include synchronous and asynchronous learning,...
As a part of my work as a school designer, I’m able to visit and walk through many flavors of schools. My role is to help leaders and design teams to resee and care for their buildings, help them to notice what has moved to the background, and ask questions that...
Have you ever sat down on a piece of furniture and pondered its origins or the stories it might tell? Bridgitte Alomes, the Founder of Natural Pod, encourages us to look at our surroundings with a fresh perspective, turning often-overlooked objects into learning...
We hope you have all had a wonderful summer filled with incredible adventures and sun filled days. It has been especially warm here in BC, apparently the hottest summer in 10 years... The plants are just loving it and the smiles abound. At Natural Pod, getting ready...
Transforming your classroom layout should be an exciting opportunity for innovation, not a cause for concern about the durability of your furniture. At Natural Pod, we design durable, multifunctional furniture that facilitates seamless transitions and supports diverse...
Well organized classroom storage can be one of the most effective ways to bring calm into your classroom as a new school year begins. After all, how can you create a truly functional and inspiring space while being surrounded by an overwhelming number of materials. We...
As part of our ongoing collaboration with New Society Publishers, we’re excited to share three more low- or no-cost nature activities for kids from the summer excerpt of The Big Book of Nature Activities. These hands-on projects are perfect for children of all ages, helping them develop a deeper connection with the natural world. With our focus on outdoor learning and the belief that nature is the first teacher, we hope these activities inspire families and educators to get outside and enjoy the season.
At Natural Pod, we’re advocates for outdoor learning whenever possible - learning that is experiential, embodied, and connects a child to their senses with respect to their surroundings. It’s the opposite of learning about Nature in a classroom via a screen! To that...
Have you ever considered why we need to consciously select the texture, shape, color, and size of materials used by children in the classroom? Or what difference furniture selection makes to the learning environment? A study by the University of Salford (2015) found...
As one school year closes, the rush to prepare for the next one begins. We know that in many cases, you need your school furniture ready to go before September. Your mind is fresh with what worked and what didn’t, and while this is a perfect time to plan, the timeline...
At Natural Pod, the belief in creating learning environments that nurture the whole child—fostering well-being, movement, and a deep connection to the natural world—is central. This ethos has led to a deepening collaboration with Sloflo World, a fellow Canadian...
We’re thrilled to share that Bridgitte Alomes, founder of Natural Pod, is back for part two of her conversation as a special guest on the “BC’s Path to Universal Child Care Podcast” (Season 4, Episode 7). In this episode, CCRR podcast host Gyda guides Bridgitte and...
How can children produce food, learn science, and develop a sense of ecological responsibility all at once? The answer lies in a school or home garden—a place where observation becomes both a science lesson and a vital behavior, where cooperation grows alongside...
New! Book Excerpt Series We’re excited to announce the first of a series of book excerpts in collaboration with New Society Publishers. As British Columbia based B Corp™ with global impact, we’ve found a strong values alignment in their subject areas, especially with...
Celebrating our earth: Holding the world in our hands - Inspired by Purpose Preschool It’s inspiring to see how our friends at Purpose Preschool in Edmonton, Canada, embraced Earth Day, focusing on learning practical ways children can care for their environment and...