The Child and Nature Alliance Podcast

Hosted by Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

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Episodes

Latest episode

May 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

A collection of stories and interviews about outdoor play and forest and nature school in Canada

Listen to episodes

32 recent

May 26, 2025Episode 1036 min

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 for more podcast episodes!

May 20, 2025Episode 1053 min

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 for more podcast episodes!

May 12, 2025Episode 1057 min

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.

May 6, 2025Episode 941 min

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, part of the "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.

April 28, 2025Episode 952 min

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, where you can explore the full "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.

April 14, 2025Episode 846 min

Francophone context

In this episode, Cynthia Lapierre, a CNAC facilitator, explores the nuanced landscape of Truth and Reconciliation in Francophone contexts. Drawing from her mixed heritage and experience working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, she unpacks the challenges of addressing historical truths, confronting settler misconceptions, and creating meaningful spaces for learning about Indigenous experiences, particularly in Quebec.Dive into this powerful conversation that reveals the complexities of reconciliation, identity, and allyship at www.childnature.ca/podcast, where you can explore the full "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.

April 7, 2025Episode 752 min

Course Changes Part 2

In this episode, Chris Filler unveils the profound transformation of the Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course. From skills-based training to a reflective journey centering Indigenous perspectives, this episode explores how settler educators can approach outdoor learning with vulnerability and respect. Discover the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada's commitment to meaningful, responsive education that honours Indigenous territories.Discover more stories of reconciliation and outdoor learning at www.childnature.ca/podcast, where you can explore the full "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.

April 6, 2025Episode 744 min

Course Changes

In this episode, Jacqueline Bennett reveals how the Child and Nature Alliance transformed outdoor education by centering Indigenous voices. She shares her journey from course participant to key change-maker, discussing meaningful reconciliation, land-based learning, and creating inclusive spaces that honour Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Discover more stories of reconciliation and outdoor learning at www.childnature.ca/podcast, where you can explore the full "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice" podcast series.

March 24, 2025Episode 61 hr 12 min

The 7 Relationships

How can educators center reconciliation, ethical practice, and connection to Land in their work with children?In this powerful episode, Monika sits down with Lise Brown and Adrian Alfonso, co-developers of the Seven Relationships for Ethical Forest and Nature School framework: Playing, Storytelling, Land, Learning, Trust, Power, and Risk. Together, they explore how these relationships help educators reflect on their roles, share power, and create learning environments rooted in belonging, reciprocity, and land-based knowledge.Lise and Adrian share stories and insights from their years of collaboration and experience as outdoor educators, offering a deeply grounded and hopeful conversation on truth, reconciliation, and learning on stolen Indigenous land.Tune in at www.childnature.ca/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

March 17, 2025Episode 549 min

Listening to Community

In this episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC’s Reconciliation in Practice, hosts Petra and Monika speak with Lukeisha Andrews, CNAC Lead Facilitator, and Natalia Valencia, CNAC’s Manager of Social Enterprise Development. They reflect on the Community Consultation Project launched in 2020, which marked the beginning of a more intentional and systematic effort to listen to CNAC’s community. They explore how listening informs CNAC’s understanding of quality programming through relational accountability by being responsive and responsible to the Land, First Peoples, each other, and future generations, and how it continues to shape offerings, remove barriers, and foster meaningful connection.

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