What matters in your learning space?

At Natural Pod, we’re always exploring the conversation around the “why” behind what we do.

Some questions we think about.

Why do we work tirelessly to find the most sustainable materials to create our products with? Why do we ensure that we pay a fair price for those materials, and pay fair wages across the board to support the design, creation and construction of the furniture elements we create? Why do we want to be responsible stewards of our environment throughout our business? Why do we care so much that children everywhere have access to healthy, safe and calm learning environments?

To us, there’s a simple, straightforward answer. Because it matters.

The “it” has a multitude of meanings, but it is the yardstick by which we measure our work, as a B Corp with a mission to set an example for how good business, meaningful relationships, and impactful learning spaces can exist in harmony.

Is our work creating an impact by shifting conversations about agency, choice and empowerment in learning spaces? Is our work allowing educators and learners to intersect in ways that offer the most positive and healthiest outcomes? Does our furniture offer a suitable and peaceful canvas for the current framework of evolutionary learning?

This is why, at a recent conference by the BCPTA in Victoria, Canada, we asked early childhood educators what matters to them in their learning spaces. We thought it would be an opportunity to have meaningful conversations and learn from those who, every single day, impact our future generation of learners and inspire us to co-create furniture that evolves with our times.

The answers that came back were heart warming and made us a little teary.

Q. What matters to you in your learning space?

Calm.
Tranquility.
Peace.
Honoring the child’s voice.
A community that learns together.
Patience.
Clarity.
Color and organization. Inspiring images.

Creative, calm, an ease to be there.
Community, warmth, safety, belonging.
Organization.
Home.
Fun and laughter.
Flexibility, comfort, simplicity.
Engagement and options.
Room for movement, dance and games.

Community.
Engagement.
Meaningful play.
Wonder.
Safety.
Sense of belonging.
Learning to play.
Comfort.
Beauty.

Emotional safety and a good flow.
A safe space.
Playful, calm, beautiful, multipurpose.
Freedom.
Connection, safety, love, inclusive, caring, community.
Community, support, diversity, space for play.

We’re happy to share them with you here, and in this season of gratitude we offer thanks for all that our educators do. May we bring a sense of safety, of home, of calm and meaning to all spaces that we inhabit and particularly to the spaces that nourish tomorrow’s leaders.