The Child and Nature Alliance Podcast

Promising Practices Part 3

In this powerful episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice Forest and Nature School Practitioners Parisa Rahimian and Anne Azucena share intimate stories about nurturing children's understanding of complex topics like identity, race, and reconciliation through outdoor learning.  By embracing curiosity, using storytelling, and allowing children to explore their environment, they demonstrate how nature can be a profound teacher of empathy, respect, and connection. Through personal anecdotes about creek adventures, encounters with wildlife, and thoughtful book discussions, Parisa and Anne reveal how outdoor spaces become classrooms for understanding our relationships with each other and the Land. Visit www.childnature.ca/podcast [http://www.childnature.ca/podcast] for more podcast episodes!

Promising Practices Part 2

In this week's episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice, we explore the nuanced relationships between educators, children, and nature through powerful stories of play, risk, and learning. Host Petra Eperjesi welcomes Forest and Nature School Practitioners Jen Mason and Rosa Tejada, who share transformative experiences about trusting children, embracing vulnerability, and supporting play across different environments. The episode delves into how educators can balance safety and freedom, empower children's curiosity, and create meaningful connections with the natural world—whether in a forest, playground, or urban setting. Listen now and be inspired to see the world through children's eyes. Don't miss this incredible journey of trust, risk, and discovery. Visit www.childnature.ca/podcast [http://www.childnature.ca/podcast] for more podcast episodes!

Promising Practices

In this powerful episode of "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice", Forest and Nature School practitioners Lukeisha Andrews and Sinéad Rafferty reveal how storytelling transforms children's relationships with the Land. Through intimate narratives, they explore how asking permission, listening deeply, and respecting nature's diversity can nurture profound connections.  Discover how sit spots, dynamic risk assessment, and compassionate facilitation create spaces where children learn to see themselves as part of a complex, interconnected ecosystem. Join us for a rich conversation about slowing down, building trust, and reimagining our approach to outdoor learning at at www.childnature.ca/podcast [https://www.childnature.ca/podcast].

From Quality Indicators to Promising Practices Part 2

In this episode, Jason Newberry, professional evaluator from Taylor Newberry Consulting, delves into the transformative journey of developing quality indicators for Forest and Nature schools. Through a candid exploration with CNAC, Jason unpacks the challenges of moving beyond Western standardization, revealing how the project evolved to centre Indigenous ways of knowing and relational accountability. Discover how CNAC reimagined quality assessment by listening to this nuanced conversation about ethical practices, Land relationships, and the rich diversity of outdoor learning at www.childnature.ca/podcast [https://www.childnature.ca/podcast], part of the "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.

From Quality Indicators to Promising Practices

In this episode, Mark St. Denis, former CNAC community consultation project lead, explores the nuanced landscape of Truth and Reconciliation in outdoor learning. Drawing from his experience working with settler and Indigenous communities, he unpacks the challenges of addressing historical truths, confronting settler misconceptions about standardization, and creating meaningful spaces for understanding indigenous expertise in forest and nature school practices. Dive into this powerful conversation that reveals the complexities of reconciliation, organizational learning, and allyship at www.childnature.ca/podcast [https://www.childnature.ca/podcast], where you can explore the full "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.