If student achievement and staff performance are major aims, indoor environmental quality is an elephant in the room. Consider this. We have invested in intense planning. Our learning goals have been aligned with the growing needs of society in a fast-changing world....
At Natural Pod, we’re passionate about creating beautiful and accessible learning environments where children thrive. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of doing this work in collaboration with remarkable educators and have witnessed the transformation of their...
Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Six is available to watch! If you are in any way connected to educational architecture, design or planning, this episode with Kate Mraw, Design Director at LPA Design Studios (LPA), is an absolute must watch! Kate shares so much insight...
Innovation is one of the latest buzzwords in 21st century learning, but do you know what it really means and what it takes to create innovation in your own classroom? At its most basic definition an innovative classroom is one that uses new and different methods to...
Across diverse contexts, I regularly meet students who are taking action to build a more sustainable future. Whether it’s first-graders designing a rain garden for their playground, middle schoolers educating adults about composting, or high school students advocating...
Gone are the days when students were expected to sit passively at desks while teachers lectured endlessly, expecting children to soak up the information being thrown at them. In today’s educational environment, students are expected to collaborate, think critically,...
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...
Tiny Scholars is Bridging the Gap Between Generations An inspiring new playschool has opened inside the Amenida Seniors Community in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada creating a unique intergenerational program that connects children with seniors.Developed to foster...
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...